To advertise in the 2017 issue of Bartlett InSights
or for more information, BACC at 901.372.9457 or email Debra
Malone dmalone@bartlettchamber.org, Lisa Johnson ljohnson@
bartlettchamber.org, or Jerry Dupree jdupree@bartlettchamber.org

Reproduction in whole or part without the publisher’s consent is strictly
prohibited. Opinions and perspectives expressed in Bartlett
InSights are those of the writers who graciously contributed to this
publication and do not necessarily represent that of the Bartlett Area
Chamber of Commerce (BACC) or its members. While every effort has
been made to ensure accuracy, Bartlett InSights and the Bartlett
Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) assume no liability for errors and
omissions.

The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Pinnacle Investors for their unparalleled dedication
to the chamber in our efforts to ensure the long-term prosperity of Bartlett and Northeast Shelby County:

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

BARTLETT

Q

A Letter from Mayor A. Keith McDonald

T E N N E S S E E

Celebrating 150 Years

T
~ Mayor A. Keith McDonald

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

150
YEARS

hank you for taking time to read this addition of the Bartlett Insights
Magazine. We have a vibrant business community and I hope you will do
everything you can to support it. When you do business with the companies
located in our city limits you help provide jobs and funding for our schools.
I am honored and excited to celebrate Bartlett’s 150th year as a city with you —
my neighbors, coworkers, friends and family. Over the course of our rich history,
Bartlett has grown from a sleepy stagecoach town to a thriving farming community
to an industrial business hub. Today, we are the 10th largest city in Tennessee with
nearly 60,000 residents who make up our vibrant community life.
Bartlett is consistently recognized by national publications as one of the country’s
most desirable places to live for the safety, opportunity and affordability it provides
residents and their families. Many of them enjoy the big city attractions that make
Bartlett an active cultural, recreational and entertainment center. But all can
appreciate the unique small-town spirit which preserves and strengthens our
community.
I am beyond proud of the accomplishments Bartlett has made, and the best is just
beginning. Bartlett will continue to be a city of choice where good people can work,
live, play and learn. A place where we can both educate our children and care for our
elders from generation to generation. Together, let’s enjoy our 150th year and all the
events celebrating our heritage.

COMMUNITY

BARTLETT

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T E N N E S S E E

150

INSIGHTS

YEARS

The Manor House
at Davies Manor
Plantation the oldest
residence in Shelby
County, was begun in
1807 as a single-room
log cabin.

(

)

By Jimmy Ogle ~ S h e l b y C o u n t y H i s t o r i a n

G Early

Ba rt l e t t

E

arly Paths, Roads & Railroads. Centuries
ago narrow trails, worn down by animals
keeping their feet dry on a high ridge just
above a swollen Wolf River, evolved into the
walk paths used by nomadic Indians to cross
the area from west to east. These primitive
trails in Southwest Tennessee eventually became
the foundation for roads for European explorers and
American settlers. In the 19th century, the Old StageCoach Road now Stage Road (US Highway 64), linked
southern Tennessee to all points east from Memphis
and the Mississippi River. Stage coaches, overland mail
and other travelers used this road which also became
part of the Bell’s Route of The Cherokee Trail of Tears
in the late 1830s.
As early as 1829, settlers were moving in to the
area. The first settlement was called Jessamine and
future Bartlett became the geographical center of
Shelby County.
The Memphis & Ohio Railroad (later to become
the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, then CSX) began
laying tracks in 1852 and the Union Depot, which
is what the community became known as, was an
important stop intersecting with Stage Road. The old
depot was demolished in 1940. Originally called Bond
Station, Ellendale became the next railroad
depot north of Bartlett.
In the 20th Century, Summer Avenue,
also known as TN Highway 1 or the
Bristol Highway, was an important part
of U.S Route 70. Before the completion
of the Interstate system, this highway
was known as the “Broadway of
America,” linking Southwestern U.S.
from the Pacific to the Atlantic in
North Carolina. Right smack dab in
the middle of this important highway,
at the intersection of Summer and
Stage Road is a place called “Four Way”
and the City of Bartlett.
Early Homes. Three of the oldest
homes in Bartlett are listed on the National

Register of Historic Places. The Manor House at
Davies Manor Plantation (listed in 1975), the oldest
residence in Shelby County, was begun in 1807 as
a single-room log cabin. Added onto throughout the
middle of the 19th century by Joel Royster, William
Davies and later Logan Davies, the plantation grew
to almost 2,000 acres by the end of the century.
Davies Manor survived Union occupation during the
Civil War and is open today as an historic attraction
portraying life in the 19th century.
Cedar Hall (listed in 1994) on Broadway Road was
built in 1846 by local physician Samuel Bond and
later occupied by Edmund Orgill until the early 1900s.
Cedar Hall, listed as the John H. McFadden House on
the National Register, is nearly 7,000 square feet of
Colonial Revival elegance. A private residence until
2007, Cedar Hall became a bed and breakfast in 2012
and is a popular wedding and special event venue.
The Gotten House (listed in 2002) on Court Street
was built in 1871 by German immigrant Nicholas
Gotten. The town’s first constable, Gotten was also
a blacksmith, a cotton gin owner and innovator in
ginning equipment. Today the house is the Bartlett
Museum and maintained by the Bartlett Historical
Society.
19th Century Economy. Agriculture ruled the
community in the 19th century, as soybeans,
cotton and flowers prevailed. Kate Bond,
daughter of early settlers William and
Hallie Bond, grew fields of flowers for
sale at the Memphis Curb Market
and provided flower arrangements to
many local hospitals. Many families
grew fruits and vegetables, including
watermelons and strawberries for sale
to markets, restaurants and hotels in
Memphis. Nicholas Gotten opened a
cotton gin that served over 10 square
miles surrounding the Bartlett area.
He received a U.S. patent in 1881 for an
improvement to the cotton gin feeder.
Early Settlers. At the close of the
7

Bartlett Baptist Church, organized in 1849

Revolutionary War, North Carolina’s boundaries
reached to the Mississippi River (until 1796) and many
veterans received land grants in this area. The three
largest land grants in the area were later bought by
George Doherty, William Polk and Richard Smith, who
then subdivided their lands for sale to other settlers.
The most recognized names in Bartlett today are from
the early settlers and farmers. Cousins John Blackwell
(Goodwood) and Gabriel Bartlett (Green Bottom) settled
in the area in the 1840s and became large land owners
and cotton farmers. Dr. Nicholas Blackwell moved
to Bartlett after the Civil War and became a leading
citizen, land developer and physician in the area as
well as the town’s second mayor. Other early prominent
citizens were Joseph Cotton, John Lilly (carriage
maker), Billy Maher, James Oglesby (carpenter), H. L.
Priddy (general store), James Pruden, Harvey Williams
(farmer), Joseph Ward, and W. B. Wright (postmaster).
Early Schools, Churches & Cemeteries. The vacated
Circuit Court building was used as a school (Bartlett
Courthouse School) for 32 years. Bartlett High School
was built in 1917 on land donated by Willie Blackwell
Miller in memory of her father, Dr. Nicholas Blackwell.
Miss Dora Gholson was the first principal for more than
one hundred students and seven faculty members.
In 1866, Gabriel Bartlett donated land for the first
Freedman school in the area, which was the first school
for black students. The Shelby County Industrial &
Training School (1905-1935) provided a school and
work farm for boys from destitute families. Thomas
Westendorf became the school’s superintendent in 1907.
Horse-drawn wagonettes for students were introduced
in 1908 and replaced by motorized buses in the 1920s.
Bartlett Baptist Church, organized in 1849, was
previously known as Prosperity Baptist Church. A
Methodist congregation, Warren Chapel, was organized
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

The Gotten House, built in 1871

in 1837. Black First Baptist Church, formerly known
as Bethlehem Baptist Church was formed in 1865. A
Presbyterian church was built in 1866. Fullview Baptist
Church was established in 1877.
Pisgah Cemetery, now known as Bartlett-Ellendale
Cemetery, is the final resting place for many early
settlers of the area, with the earliest known burial being
Sarah C. Bond in 1837. The Tollgate Cemetery was
established in 1846, deriving its name from the tollgate
on the Memphis-to-Somerville plank road.
The Civil War & Yellow Fever. Major land battles of
the Civil War missed the Bartlett area with the closest
skirmish occurring in 1862 at Morning Sun, east of
the area and south of the Old Stagecoach Road. Union
General Lew Wallace’s headquarters were located in
Union Depot (future Bartlett) to protect the railroad
tracks. Nicholas Gotten served under Confederate
General Nathan Bedford Forrest as a cavalryman and
blacksmith. Members of the Blackwell family served
in the New Albany Grays of the Confederacy, as did
Colonel Clark Barteau. As the Yellow Fever epidemic
of 1878 spread through the county, the Courthouse was
used as a hospital.
Incorporation. Previously known as Union Depot
(an unpopular name after the Civil War) and/or Green
Bottom, the town of Bartlett was incorporated in 1866
with less than one hundred citizens and named for
Major Gabriel M. Bartlett, a leading area resident.
On April 14, 1866, the Daily Memphis Argus wrote:
“Bartlett is pleasantly and beautifully situated on the
rise of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad”. Gabriel Bartlett
was also elected the first Mayor of Bartlett in 1867.
From 1870-1885, the Circuit Court met in Bartlett.
Because an unincorporated city was forbidden from
selling alcohol, Bartlett citizens voted in 1885 to dissolve
the city charter and close the saloons to reduce alcohol

consumption. With the move of
the Circuit Court to Memphis, the
smaller city experienced a reduction
in population and it was not until
1905 that Bartlett was able to
regain its charter! For its first 100
years, Bartlett’s population did not
rise above 600 residents. The first
newspaper, the Bartlett News, was
published in 1875.

Women’s basketball team, 1938.

20th Century – The First 50 Years.
During the first fifty years of the 20th
century, the business district suffered
three disastrous fires, the last being in
1924. Bartlett continued as a cotton
center until the boll weevil became a
determined enemy along with some
over farming of the land. After World
War I, Bartlett became a dairy town
and had as many as twenty dairies –
Albright, Cedar Hill, Clifton, Crenshaw,
Haefker, Klinke, Norwood, Reid and
Tate were names of some of the dairy
operations.
Elva Talbot Bledsoe, longtime
“unofficial” Bartlett historian, was the
founder of the Bartlett Historical Society
in 1982 and negotiated with the City of
Bartlett to preserve the Gotten House,
now the site of the Bartlett Museum.
Civic organizations such as the Future
Farmers of America, Bartlett Garden
Club and the Lions Club thrived in the
middle of the 20th century. Ellen DaviesRodgers became Shelby County’s first
official historian and also designed the
flag for Shelby County. Some leading
citizens who contributed to Bartlett in
this era were Robert Dye (photography),
W. J. Freeman (alderman), John George
(high school principal), Clarence Gowen
(mayor and historian) and Oliver
Albright (gin owner).
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Did You Know? Union General Lew
Wallace, whose Civil War headquarters
were in Bartlett, later wrote the epic
Ben-Hur. Illinois Central Railroad
engineer and Bartlett resident Avery G.
“Rabbit” Warner brought his train (and
Engine # 382) into Front Street Station
in Memphis on April 29, 1900 about
two hours late. The famous railroad
engineer Casey Jones replaced Warner
on what became the most famous train
wreck in the nation’s history on April
30th in Vaughn, Mississippi, when
Jones was killed in a wreck trying
to make up for the lost time. School
Superintendent, Thomas Westendorf
had previously gained fame by writing
the song “I’ll Take You Home Again,
Kathleen”, which was recorded by the
likes of Bing Crosby, Merv Griffin, Elvis
Presley and Johnny Cash. Clarence
Saunders, founder of the first selfservice grocery store in America in 1916
(Piggly Wiggly, Memphis) and builder of
what eventually became the Pink Palace
Museum, died in his Bartlett home
in 1953. The residential area to the
north of the business section of Bartlett
Station has recently been named a
Historic District. And, for some reason,
it seems as though no one in Union
Depot or Green Bottom (or Bartlett) ever
liked Davy Crockett!

proved to be a watershed year for
the quiet, small town of Bartlett,
population approximately
500. The town had the same
boundaries as it did when incorporated in 1866, but with
the election of Oscar T. Yates on the “Progressive” ticket,
change was on the horizon. Under Mayor Yates, the city
expanded through annexation, streets were paved and Stage
Road widened. The waterworks and sewage system, which
had controversially been funded by state-approved bonds in
1949, was expanded and is still owned by Bartlett today.
A small business district on Stage Road by the railroad
tracts existed and several businesses were located at Shelby
Center, or Four Way (Stage Road and Summer Avenue)
including a service station and repair shop, a barber shop,
the Shelby Motel & Restaurant and The Peoples Bank
(today Trustmark Bank). Bartlett had the zip code 38005

until 1973 when it became a branch of the Memphis Post
Office. Today Bartlett is divided by four zip codes 38133,
38134, 38135 & 38002. The current Bartlett Post Office on
Elmore Park Rd. was built in 1976.
In the early 1960’s there was one police officer, Lee
Gaia, who patrolled the town. He had a motorcycle and
was very vigilant maintaining the speed limits. In 1968,
T.L. Carpenter was appointed Town Marshall and along
with Sam Crenshaw, Carl Moore and Hoarse Jones who
together protected the city prior to the establishment of the
police department.
Under the Shelby County Schools system, Bartlett High
School had been a Grade 1-12 school but new elementary
schools were being built. Bartlett Elementary was located
next to the High School on the west and Elmore Park
Elementary opened. Ellendale Elementary was built on
Third Road in 1918 and added an addition in the 1960’s.
In 1967 a new public library opened at 5803 Stage Road.
By the end of the 1960’s, Bartlett’s population had more
than doubled.
11

The 1970’s: A “Bedroom” Community
Expands Exponentially

D

uring the 1970s Memphis was growing and new
people were looking to the suburbs for new homes,
good schools and lower taxes and Bartlett fit the bill.
Population grew from 1,100 in 1970 to 17,170 by the
end of the decade. Along with growth came construction
companies that built many of the new homes. Builders of
the period included Jim Reid, John R. Thompson, Dewey
Price, Don Beasley, G.H. Parker and Ace Roberts..
Annexation continued to the city’s current boundary on
the south and west, up to Yale Road. The north boundary
followed Yale to Billy Maher and along St. Elmo. Ellendale
was annexed in 1977-78. As new commercial growth
moved east down Stage Road, homes were torn down to
accommodate the growth. Stage Road was widened yet again.
In the late 1970’s, the Board of Aldermen anticipated
the growth of the business community
and enacted a strict
Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett
sign ordinance requiring quality building CEO
structures
and
Jeremy Clark
landscaping for all Bartlett businesses. When passed, many
businessmen strongly opposed the ordinance and formed the
Bartlett Businessmen Association to oppose it. Differences
were resolved and in 1980, this organization evolved into
the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce with Terry Edward
as its first president. In 1984 Suzanne Griffith was hired as
Executive Vice President and the first full time employee.
The police department, under the leadership of Hank
Johnson, began with a small budget that grew with the
city, adding officers, cars, equipment and training. The
Fire Department, which up until the 1970’s remained
largely a volunteer force, also expanded, adding three
full time fire fighters in 1971 and in 1977 Fire Station #1
was built at 2939 Altruria Road at the corner of Stage
Road. Ambulances were purchased and paramedics hired.
Bartlett became the only suburb with ambulance service
and today, all Bartlett firefighters and paramedics are
state certified.
Schools felt the growth impact as well. Shadowlawn,
which had been a black school, was integrated and became
a middle school. Altruia Elementary School opened on
Deermont in 1977 and a new Ellendale Elementary School
was built on Dawnhill Road in 1978.
Churches were growing, civic clubs established,
the Stagecoach Days Festival began and the Bartlett
Christmas Parade stepped off in 1974 coordinated by
Wanda Bowen, a real estate agent who also organized the
Miss Bartlett Pageants.

The 1980’s: Commercial and Industrial
Growth Accelerates

I

n the 1980’s Bartlett was one of the fastest growing
cities in Tennessee. It had the assets needed: location,
transportation, land ready to be developed, good
government, growing business and industry as well as
housing diversity. Commercial and retail growth changed

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Stage Road and Bartlett Boulevard dramatically during
this decade. New shopping centers sprang up including
Town Square, Towne Center, Malco Plaza, Normandie
Place, and Parkside Gallery. The variety of shopping and
entertainment gave citizens the convenience of staying in
Bartlett.
Amidst all this growth, a citizen named Elva Bledsoe
was concerned that too many of the historic places were
being torn down. When the city decided to demolish a
historic home on Court Street for a tennis court she went
to Mayor Oscar Yates and asked if the home could be saved.
The home was originally owned by Nicholas Gotten, built
in 1871, and was in good condition. Ms. Bledsoe wanted
to create a historical society and proposed to house it and
a museum in the Gotten home. The Mayor and Board of
Alderman agreed with her and gave her soon-to-be-formed
historical society a 50-year lease on the house. True to her

Governor Lamar Alexander visiting Bartlett Elementary School in 1980.

word, Mrs. Bledsoe founded the Bartlett Historical Society
in 1982 and they renovated the Gotten House to replicate
how it originally looked. In 1991 the Bartlett Museum/
Gotten House was formally dedicated, and in 2002
achieved acceptance on the National Register of Historic
Places, making it the third location in Bartlett with that
designation, behind Davies Manor and Cedar Hall.
The arts community was active also. The Bartlett
Community Theater group was formed in 1980 and
presented “The Sound of Music” as its first production
under the leadership of Dave Leuchauer and Paula
McCalla. Maria Von Trapp was invited and she accepted
and came to Bartlett. The theater group was very popular
and did annual performances into the 2000’s.
In 1984 the City of Bartlett and the Chamber became
involved in the Governor’s Three Star Community
Preparedness Program designed to work with communities
desiring to evaluate its ability to attract new industry.
Local committees looked at all aspects of the community,

infrastructure, availability land and quality of life to
determine what needed to be done. The Tennessee
Department of Economic & Community Development then
sent in a team acting as an industrial prospect to assess
the community’s readiness. Bartlett received its first Three
Star Award in 1984 and through a yearly re-evaluation
process, received the Three Star designation for 13
consecutive years.
In 1982, another hotly contested mayoral election
resulted in Bobby Flaherty succeeding long-term Mayor
Yates. The new mayor had a vision for Bartlett as a selfsustaining city with enough business and industry to
help keep property taxes low. He created a new position,
Director of Planning and Economic Development and hired
Charles Goforth. They began looking for land and “clean”
industries in keeping with the city’s concern that industrial
growth should complement, not degrade, the livability of the

into this building.
Several “home grown” industries also located in the
Bartlett Corporate Park. Brimhall Foods Company which
makes Brim’s Snack Foods began making pork rinds in
1982 in a small building in Bartlett and in 1987 moved
into a new facility in the Corporate Park on A.E. Beaty
Drive. Today they make a variety of chips, popcorn and
cheese puffs along with pork rinds. Terry Brimhall, the
president, graduated from Bartlett High School. Roger
Johnson and Ronnie Randall started a company, Kele &
Associates, in a garage in Bartlett making and distributing
component parts for commercial heating and AC units. In
1990 they built their manufacturing/distribution plant in
Bartlett Corporate Park. Other businesses locating in the
park were S.A.W. Textiles, Bird Fasteners, Mini Max, and
Continental Trophies.
In other business notes, in 1980 the Byrd brothers, Dan,
Bob, Harold and John started the Bank of Bartlett at 6281
Stage Road which has grown to eight branches serving all
of Shelby County.
Finally, in 1989 a beautiful new City Hall was opened at
6400 Stage Road, between the fire station and the library,
featuring a large council chamber, conference room and offices.

The 1990’s: Rapid Growth Continues
with a New Focus on Retail

D

Brother opening in 1987.

community. In 1983 the city purchased 100 acres of land (a
bean field) on Highway 64 to the east of the city and lured
their first industrial prospect, Richards Medical Company,
to become the first tenant in the new Bartlett Corporate
Park. Today, the name of the company is Olympus.
In 1986 a Japanese company, Brother Industries, was
looking for a location for their first U.S. manufacturing
plant for typewriters and business machines. The Bartlett
Chamber and city officials made a presentation which was
initially rejected. Brother Industries came back several
months later and purchased 20 acres next to Richards
Medical. In 1987 Brother Industries celebrated the
grand opening of a 200,000 square-foot building with 200
employees. In 1988 Brother International Corporation
bought land at 3131 Appling Road for a distribution center
which they moved to Bartlett from New Jersey. In 1998
a 1.1 million square-foot distribution center was built on
Brother Boulevard just east of Germantown Road and
Brother Industries and Brother International both moved

uring the 1990’s residential, industrial and
commercial growth continued, moving north and
east at a fast pace. A new wastewater treatment
plant was built in the North Basin. A record
number of housing permits in 1992 were issued: 605.
Whitten Road extended north to Fiske Road as KirbyWhitten Parkway; the city purchased 115 acres of land for
a municipal complex on Appling Road; Brother Industries
expanded, bringing its research and development
department from Japan; the USDA Cotton Division moved
into the Corporate Park; Stage Center Shopping Center
opened at Stage and Kirby-Whitten, and Malco Theatres
opened a 12-screen theater on Highway 64.
The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce began to focus
more on retail. After completing a retail marketing survey,
a video was produced to promote Bartlett businesses. A
Leadership Bartlett program was started in 1990 and
Youth Leadership Bartlett in 1997, both of which are
still going strong; the Bartlett Education Foundation
was started in 1998 to provide grants to teachers in the
Bartlett schools for materials and projects not funded by
the school system.
The 90’s also saw an increase in the number of schools
built. Kate Bond and Appling Middle Schools opened; Elmore
Park Elementary became a middle school and Bartlett
Elementary movcd to a new school on Billy Maher Road.
Because of the influx of too many students, Bartlett High
became over-crowded. In response, Shelby County School
changed the school boundary lines and many children on the
north side of Bartlett were reassigned to Bolton High School.
13

A New Millennium and New Challenges

B

y the year 2000, Bartlett’s population climbed to
40,543, more than double the 1980 population.
The challenge for the city’s leadership and
residents became how to keep Bartlett a growing
city with a “small-town” feel. The 2000’s were about
quality of life.
In the late 90’s the Bartlett Performing Arts &
Conference Center and the Bartlett Recreation & Fitness
Center opened in the Bobby K. Flaherty Municipal Center
on Appling Road. The Bartlett Senior Center opened
in the newly renovated old city hall at 5727 Woodlawn.
A new Bartlett Animal Shelter opened in 2003 and in
2005 the city purchased the old Bartlett Baptist Church
on Stage Road and turned it into the Bartlett Station
Municipal Center which provided much needed spaces
to hold meetings and events. This facility also houses a
police sub-station. In 2007 an addition to the Municipal
Center brought the Bartlett Library into a larger, more
technologically friendly facility.
A new Justice Center was built on Appling Road. This
modern, high-tech facility met the needs of a growing
police force. In 2001 a Citizen Police Academy was formed
to educate residents and give them an opportunity to
observe and understand law enforcement with a “handson” approach.
Under the leadership of Mayor Keith McDonald, a
committee was formed to enter the’ America in Bloom’
competition and under the committee’s guidance the city
“blossomed” with colorful plantings and landscaping. In
2004, St. Francis Hospital saw the potential of the area
and opened a 90-bed, full-service hospital on Highway 64
at Kate Bond Road. The hospital has expanded several
times and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
For many years, senior citizens were under served,
with only the Ave Maria Home and Assisted Living
facility available for those seniors looking for assisted
living or nursing home care in the Bartlett area. In the
2000’s, Elmcroft Assisted Living, Rainbow Assisted
Living, Robinwood Retirement Community and Quail

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Ridge Alzheimers Special Care were opened. Culpepper
Place Assisted Living is currently under construction.
New churches such as New Hope Christian, Faith
Baptist, Bartlett Woods Church of Christ and Bartlett Hills
Baptist had been moving to Bartlett through the years,
and the established churches including Bartlett United
Methodist, Ellendale Baptist, and St. Ann Catholic were
expanding to accommodate their larger congregations.
Bartlett Baptist moved to Kirby Whitten Parkway and built
a large church as did Fullview Baptist Church, building
their new church across the street from the old one.
In 2002 the Bartlett Panthers basketball team won
the state championship and in 2003 Bartlett was named
“Sports Town of the Year” by Newsweek magazine. That
year part of the movie “21 Grams” was shot in Bartlett,
the first annual Pickin’ Picnic Bluegrass Festival was
held, and Time Warner Cable started broadcasting city
meetings and events on Channel 17.
In 2006, Suzanne Griffith retired from the Bartlett
Chamber and John Threadgill became president. Under
his leadership, the Chamber broadened its vision to
become more pro-active in economic development and in
2008 the Bartlett area attracted more than $100 million
in new capital investment, creating more than 700 jobs.
A “Team Green Zone” energy efficiency initiative was
launched in 2010 as was the Vision 20/’20 initiative. In
2015 the Chamber purchased the building at 2969 Elmore
Park, renovating it to accommodate a large meeting space.
When the Bartlett City Schools opened in August 2014
the last component in creating a “self-sustaining” city
that was the vision of the 1980’s was put into place. The
city came together in support of the new municipal school
system along with a deeper sense of community pride.
Today Bartlett is the 10th largest city in Tennessee
with a population of approximately 60,000 and is poised
to do very well in the coming decades. We can use our
experiences from the last 50 years to insure that Bartlett
is a diverse community that welcomes intelligent growth
that benefits all its citizens.
~ Sue Griffith Coleman is a former President of the
Bartlett Area Chamber and remains active in the
community.

•

BARTLETT

) COMMUNITY

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T E N N E S S E E

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF BARTLETT

]

150
YEARS

Chronology of Bartlett’s First 150 Years

Willie Blackwell Miller and daughter Louise Miller

O.S. “Red” Fuller, Fire Chief, 1950-60s

1829 Settlement established at stagecoach
stop on Memphis-Somerville Rd. (present
day Stage Road) called Jessamine.

1885 Courts moved to Memphis and
Courthouse became Bartlett’s first school,
called Courthouse School.

1830-31 Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Bond, his
mother and four brothers moved from
Alabama to Shelby County. Build a grand
home called Avenue (present-day Cedar
Hall).

1887 Population 300.

1838 Cherokee Indians on the Trail of Tears
during their forced removal from Alabama
to Oklahoma passed through Bartlett along
what is now Stage Road.
1855-56 Memphis & Ohio RR was built
from Memphis to Brownsville. The work
camp was called Union Depot and that
name continued until after Civil War.
1866 Population 100. Town was
incorporated and changed name to Bartlett
in honor of Gabriel M. Bartlett.
1867 Black citizens left Prosperity Baptist
Church and formed their own church, First
Baptist Church, on Shelby St.
1870 Bartlett Courthouse was built
and county courts held here until 1885;
Methodist Church established.
1873 Town lots sold for $700 an acre; farm
land at $25 an acre. Fullview Missionary
Baptist Church first worshipped under a
“bush arbor”; built first church in 1877.

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

1896 Prosperity Baptist Church changed its
name to Bartlett Baptist Church.
1908 The city’s post office was operated
from Willis Edward’s store.
1917 On land donated by Willie Blackwell
Miller, a new school was built and named
in memory of her father, Dr. Nicholas
Blackwell.
1919 Concrete walks laid on MemphisSomerville, Sycamore and Court Streets. All
male citizens ages 18-45 were required to
work 8 days a year on the roads.
1929 The first women were elected to serve
on the town board: Leona Gotten, Dora
Gholson and Louise Miller.
1949 St. Ann Catholic Church established
in store building, moved to new church at
6529 Stage in 1950
1951 The City began supplying water from
three 100-ft wells.
1952 The city’s first large supermarket, A & P,
opened on Stage Road at Elmore Park.
1955 Ellendale Utility District was
established by Shelby County Court on
April 26, 1955

1956 Ave Maria Care Home opened on
Charles Bryan Road
1960 Population 501. The first drug store
opened for business. St Anne’s School
established.
1964 Oscar Yates won election for Mayor
on a “Progressive Ticket” defeating Mayor
D. J. Guillory and became the first full-time
mayor in 1973.
1966 The Bartlett Park Subdivision was
annexed into city limits.
1967 The first public library in Bartlett
was dedicated; Tranquil Air opened on
Brunswick Road (now Lakeside Behavior
Health Systems).
1969 Duplexes built on old Gabriel Bartlett
land on south side of Boyd Lane (1969-70).
Apartment complex built on north side of
Stage Road named Bartlett Heights.
1970 Population: 1,150. The official seal of
Bartlett was designed by Robert Qualls, an
art student at Bartlett High School.
1973 Elmore Park area was annexed
by Bartlett including 995 acres and
approximately 575 dwellings. Bartlett
agreed to purchase the Ellendale Utility
District.
1974 Christmas Parade begun by Wanda
Bowen became an annual event.

1975 South Central Bell opened a new
plant on Shelby Street at Hood Road at a
cost of $285,000.
1977 New fire station opened at Stage and
Altruria named for O. S. Filler, Jr. who was
fire chief, 1951-1967; cost $325,000.
1978 Ellendale/Easthill area annexed.
1980 Population 17,170; increased 1400%
from 1970 to 1980. Bank of Bartlett
established. Bartlett Community Theatre
formed with “The Sound of Music”
presentation. Maria Von Trapp was invited
and attended. Bartlett Area Chamber of
Commerce chartered.
1982 Bobby Flaherty elected Mayor. Brim’s
Snack Foods established. Bartlett Historical
Society chartered to promote Bartlett history
and open a museum for the city.
1983 City purchased 100 acres for
industrial park on Highway 64.
1984 Walter K. Singleton Community
Center opened. The Oscar T. Yates Water
Treatment Plant/Public Works Building
opened. Named for former mayor.
1985 Richards Medical Company opened,
becoming the first industry in Bartlett
Corporate Park (now Gyrus-Olympus ENT).
1986 Celebrated Tennessee Homecoming
‘86. Groundbreaking for Brother Industries
(USA) Inc.
1987 Brother Industries USA, Inc. and
Brimhall Foods Company opened in
Bartlett Corporate Park.
1988 The Gotten House, refurbished by
Bartlett Historical Society, opened as a
museum.
1989 New City Hall completed and
occupied; Japanese Garden behind City
Hall donated by Brother Industries.
1990 Population 26,989. City purchased
municipal complex on Appling Road. Kele
& Associates, opened in Corporate Park.
Leadership Bartlett first year.
1991 City’s bond rating increased from A+
to A++. Construction began on Quail Ridge
Golf Course.
1992 Record housing permits issued.
Construction began for a new wastewater
treatment plant for North Basin. KirbyWhitten Parkway opened to Fiske Road.
1993 Kate Bond Elementary School opened.
Elmore Park became middle school. Second
Retail Marketing Study completed.

1996 Construction began on Kirby-Whitten
Parkway south of Stage. Construction
began on Justice Center in Appling
Municipal Center.
1997 Bartlett High School Panthers
basketball team ranked No.1 in Tennessee
and State Champions. Construction began
on Bartlett Performing Arts Center.
1998 Bartlett Performing Arts &
Conference Center opened. Brother
International Corporation opened new 1.1
million square foot facility.
1999 Appling Municipal Center renamed
Bobby Flaherty Municipal Center. Bartlett
Recreation & Fitness Center opened.
2000 Population 40,543. BACC celebrated
20th anniversary. New Hope Christian
Church opened on Kirby-Whitten Pkwy.
2001 Varsity Spirit moved into 250,000
sq. ft. building on Appling Road. Bartlett
Panthers basketball team won state
championship.
2002 Keith McDonald elected Mayor of
Bartlett. Chamber office moved to 2969
Elmore Park Road.
2003 Bartlett named “Sports Town of
Tennessee” by Newsweek magazine.
Bartlett Animal Shelter opened. Filmmakers shoot scenes for 21 Grams in
Bartlett.
2004 Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett opened
in Bartlett. Kings Daughters & Sons moves
into new facility on Appling Road.
2005 City purchased Bartlett Baptist
Church to become Bartlett Station
Municipal Center. Bartlett Historic
District established. Bon Lin Elementary
School opens.
2006 Population 47,000. Davies Plantation
area annexed. Youth Villages opens new
administrative facility and research center
on Brother Blvd.
2007 Chamber membership exceeds 600.
National College of Business & Technology
opened. Bartlett Museum/Gotten House
exterior completely refurbished.
2008 New Bartlett Library opened. Bartlett
area attracts over $100 million in new
capital investment, creating more than 700
jobs.
2009 The Bartlett area saw the creation of
1700 new jobs and more than $100 million
in capital improvements.

St. Valentine’s Day 5k & 10k Run
Saturday, February 13, 2016, 9:00am - This is
an annual run provides individual award categories for
both the 5K and 10K with a special Couples Sweetheart
Division (a team of one male and one female) for
the 10K only. For more information call Singleton
Community Center at 901.385.5593.

Bartlett Business Expo
Thursday, March 10, 2016, 9:00am to 4:00pm
Presented by the Bartlett Area Chamber, the City of Bartlett,
and Saint Francis Hospital – Bartlett, the Expo offers
residents and business leaders the opportunity to meet with
more than 75 companies and service providers. This free
event is located at the Bartlett Recreation Center. For more
information, call the BACC at 901.372.9457

Easter Egg Hunt & Easter Basket Contest
Saturday, March 19, 2016 – This annual event
is held at W.J. Freeman Park. Baskets will be judged
at 9:30am. The egg hunt for children under 10 will
begin at 10:00 am. For more information call Singleton
Community Center at 901.385.5593.

Special Kids Spring Dance
Friday, April 8, 2016 – The Special Kids Dance is
held at Singleton Community Center from 6:30–8:30pm
for ages 12 and up. The dance will feature a DJ, food,
contests and more. For more information call Singleton
Community Center at 901.385.5593.

Bartlett a la Carte
Spring 2016 – Watch for the announcement for
this fun-filled evening of food, beverages and socializing.
This culinary tasting event spotlights specialties from
restaurants in the area. Presented as a joint venture
between the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce and
the Northeast Shelby County Rotary and featuring a
Silent Auction to benefit Youth Villages. For more info
call the BACC at 901.372.9457.
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INSIGHTS

Historic Bartlett Weekend
Saturday & Sunday, April 16- 17, 2016
Hosted by the Bartlett Historical Society. Walk through
the Bartlett Historic Home District, visit historic buildings
in Bartlett Station and “talk to people from the past”
portrayed by citizens. Bartlett Museum/Gotten House,
2969 Court Street.

Pickin’ Picnic Bluegrass Festival
Friday, May 6, 2016, 6:00pm – An
outdoor event under the stars on the lawn of the Bartlett
Performing Arts and Conference Center (BPACC) located
at 3663 Appling Road. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets
and picnic basket and sit back and enjoy the music.

Pet Show
Southern Gospel Concert
Saturday, April 16, 2016 - 6:00-9:00pm,
Ellendale Baptist Church, 3861 Broadway - Join
us for some good old Southern Gospel music featuring
Congressman Fincher and his family’s singing group
along with other local groups and churches.

Saturday, May 14, 2016, 9:00am–12:00pm
Show off your pet at W.J. Freeman Park. The costume
contest owner pet look-a-like contest will begin at
9:00am followed by the regular competition. All
adoptions will be half price on that day. For more
information call Singleton Community Center at
901.385.5593.

City Beautiful Plant Sale
Friday and Saturday April 22-23, 2016
The sale is at the corner of Stage and Whitten under the
big red tent. All proceeds go back into the community
to support the projects City Beautiful does to keep
Bartlett a beautiful place to live, work and shop.

Bartlett Movies in the Park
Movies and dates TBD - The Bartlett Station
Commission will bring back movie nights to W.J.
Freeman Park. This fun, family-oriented movie series
is free to the community. Families can bring their
blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets to watch a
movie on the big screen under the stars. For more
information visit BartlettParkMovies on Facebook.

Bartlett Station Farmers Market
Every Saturday, May -September at W.J. Freeman
Park - Features locally-grown fresh produce and valueadded products. For more information, visit
www.bartlettstationfarmersmarket.org.

Children’s Fishing Rodeo
Saturday, June 4, 2016, 6:00 - 9:00am
Held at Appling Lake, 3663 Appling Road. This event is
for children 12 and under. For more information, call
901.385.5589.

Shelby County History Festival
Sunday, April 3, 2016, 12:00–5:00pm – This
event, held at Hillwood Hall at Davies Manor will host
20 local historical exhibitors displaying past, present
and future. For more information call 901.604.5002.

Morning Sun Reenactment
Saturday & Sunday, September 10 - 11, 2016
Civil War Reenactment of the Battle of Morning Sun,
circa 1862, held on the grounds of Davies Manor
Plantation. For more information call Davies Manor at
901.386.0715.

20th Annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show
Friday – Sunday, November 4 – 6, 2016,
10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Held on the grounds and
in the buildings of Davies Manor featuring new and
vintage quilts, garments, accessories and vendors of
hand crafted items. For more information call Davies
Manor at 901.386.0715.

Shelby Farms
www.shelbyfarmspark.org

Down to Earth Festival
The Star Spangled Extravaganza
Thursday, July 4, 2016 – Come celebrate
American’s Birthday and Bartlett’s 150 Years at this
year’s event! All activities will take place on the lawn of
the Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center and
Appling Middle School. This family-focused, free event
features an annual festival and fireworks display with
activities for all ages, including a car show and live
music by the Bartlett Community Concert Band and
Jamie Baker & The VIPs’. For more information, call
901.385.5589.

Small Fry Tri
Saturday, August 27, 2016 – Kids ages 2-6 will
run, bike, and swim (OK, just run through sprinklers)
to the finish line where everyone receives an award.
Registration begins July 1 at the Bartlett Recreation
Center. For more info, call the BRC at 901.385.6470.

Bartlett Kid’s Triathlon
Saturday, October 1, 2016 – The City of Bartlett,
the Bartlett Recreation Center, and Saint Francis
Hospital-Bartlett present the annual Kid’s Triathlon at
the Bartlett Recreation Center and on the streets of
Bartlett. Registration begins April 1, 2016. For more
info, call the BRC at 901.385.6470.

Halloween Carnival
(October date TBA)- Carnival for ages 12 and
under at the Singleton Community Center with games,
contests, candy, and costume contest. Admission is $1
for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

BRC Trunk or Treat
(October date TBA)- The Bartlett Recreation
Center will host its 10th annual Trunk or Treat from
5:00-6:30pm with games, candy, music, and fun!
Come dressed in your best costume, and be ready to
have a great and safe night of trick-or-treating.

2016 Veterans Day Ceremony
November 11 – Join us as we honor all
Veterans! This event takes place in Veterans Park,
located at the corner of Bartlett Blvd and Bartlett Rd.

Bartlett Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2016 – Happy
Birthday Bartlett! The parade is fun for the whole family
beginning at 4:00pm. For more information, visit
www.cityofbartlett.org.

Saturday, April 2, 2016, 10am-4pm
The Mid-South’s largest Earth Day Celebration with
over 200 eco-related vendors, environmental art,
wildlife demonstrations, live music and food trucks.

Earth Day 5k
Sunday, April 17, 2016, 2:00pm
Zoom through the Park while showing off your
commitment to Green! Register online:
www.earthday5k.racesonline.com

Earth Day Family Campout
Friday & Saturday, April 22-23, 2016
Bring your family to celebrate National Earth Day with
a two-day campout in Shelby Farms Park!

Dog-A-Roo
Sunday, May 1, 2016, 10:00am-2:00pm
Bring your best furry friend to experience the largest
dog park in America at the 3rd Annual Dog-A-Roo
Festival and Four Legged 4k!

Heart of the Park Grand Opening
Celebration
Friday – Sunday, September 23-25, 2016
Experience the world-class grandeur of the Heart of
the Park opening at Shelby Farms Park!

artlett is a prime example of a city that is very much a
bustling dynamic economy, as its many accolades suggest,
while its location affords a quick escape into a rural setting
that offers solitude and reflection. The southside of Bartlett
is where you will find a dense population with just about
all of the amenities you could ask for. But as you drive
north, you begin to sense a slower pace that is refreshing. There are many
different paths you can take to experience this transition, yet, to me, the
best experience is the short drive on Brunswick Road.
In 7 ½ minutes you can travel from the largest retail mall in the MidSouth, with all the brand stores expected in an upscale retail experience
including a Cheesecake Factory, to a rustic rural setting complete with
a feed store and a café that serves catfish and other country vittles.
In between you find comfortable suburban housing transitioning into
impressive country estates.
The experience begins at Wollfchase Galleria, the region’s retail
epicenter. From the Main Entrance on the east side parking lot, drive
northeast to connect to New Brunswick Road. Look for the six- story
Holiday Inn & Suites at Wolfchase. This relatively new hotel is owned by
the Wilson Family, whose patriarch, Kemmons Wilson, founded Holiday
Inn’s in 1952. This particular hotel serves as a model for the new “look” for
the Holiday Inns brand. Continuing north, you will pass many national
chain restaurants and motels including Fairfield Inn, Springhill Suites
and Best Western Inn & Suites, FRIDAYS, Buffalo Wild Wings, Firebirds
and LongHorn Steakhouse.
Within less than a mile the road intersects with heavily traveled US
Hwy 64. Cross the highway and immediately look to the right for the
entrance to Brunswick
Road. Almost instantly
you notice the shift to a
residential environment.
Lakeside Behavioral

Health System, on the left, has been a fixture in Bartlett
for more than 40 years and is one of the leading addictionrehabilitation centers in the Southeast. Not far up the road
is Davies Plantation Road to the right. This takes you into
one of Shelby County’s most desirable neighborhoods as
well as Shelby County’s oldest residential structure, now a
museum, Davies Manor.
Continuing on Brunswick Road, to the left, you will pass
one of the city’s newest residential developments currently
in progress. Just ahead is a Bartlett fire station next to
MLGW’s maintenance facilities. From then on it’s all
residential and heavily forested.
If you have some time, at the intersection with Memphis
Arlington Road, take a right and drive alongside some
beautiful horse farms. When you come to Anderton Springs
Drive on top of the Ridge turn right and come into Davies
Plantation neighborhood. At the end of Anderton Springs
turn right and follow St. Philip Drive until it ends on Davies
Plantation Rd. Hang another right and it takes you back to
Brunswick Rd. where you take another right to get back on
the trail.
Brunswick Rd. intersects with US Hwy 70/79. This was
the main road to Nashville before I-40 was built and the
drive to the capital city is well worth the experience if you
have five hours to spare.
North of Hwy 70 you quickly enter into an old rural

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INSIGHTS

neighborhood known as Brunswick Farms. Many of the
original families still have a presence in this area but it’s
quickly evolving into an upscale suburban community. A
nice side trip would be to turn left onto Craven Rd. and then
right onto Whiteoaks Lane.
The Pleasant Hill Cemetery is ahead on the left. This is
one of the oldest cemeteries in Bartlett and well worth a
visit. The old Cumberland Presbyterian Church is used for
weddings and special occasions. There’s a section within the
cemetery that contains Civil War deceased.
Now you’re entering the community of Brunswick
which was recently incorporated into Bartlett’s city limits.
This quaint village dates back to the early 1800’s. Located
adjacent to the Loosahatchie River, it still maintains an
authentic feel. A little historical footnote is that Stax
Records had its first music studio in Brunswick for just
over a year before moving to the famous McLemore Avenue
site in Memphis. The Brunswick Feed Store is a must-see
and the Brunswick Kitchen Cafe across the street attracts
people from well beyond the immediate area.
If you’d like to continue your journey into the rural
Bartlett area you can stay on Brunswick Road for another
10 miles. There are numerous side roads along the way
that offer scenic drives into rural Shelby County that few
people know about… which makes it that much better for us
country road lovers.

•

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT (

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YEARS

Stage Road looking east from Bartlett Boulevard, circa early 1970s.

)

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A Walk Down

M E M ORY

L AN E
Schwam Store, Stage & Sycamore, circa 1930s.

G
A VISUAL

RETROSPECTIVE
O F BA RT L E T T ’ S
storie d
H I S TO RY

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29

G

A WA L K D O W N M E M O R Y L A N E

Baugh Sisters and Nanny Bartlett (right), circa 1920s.

Bartlett Baptist Church, circa 1920.

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G

A WA L K D O W N M E M O R Y L A N E

Aerial view Bartlett High School, circa 1950s.

Future Farmers of America 1953.

Bartlett High School Band, 1945-1946.
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) ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By David

Tale of the

Bartlett Ar t
Renegades

T

his history of Bartlett includes a tale never
told before, a tale of a gang of renegades who
impacted Bartlett as never before in history.
A gang with political connections, who were
not afraid to use them, the Bartlett Five,
they are called. The tale of Sue Griffith
Coleman, David Skelton, Dorothy Hirsh,
Janet Carr and Buddy Murchison, the Bartlett Five, who
implemented the Cultural Arts Committee, which lead to
unprecedented growth of the city through the arts.
“In 1989, I was part of a band that needed a place
to perform,” explains Skelton who is a musician in the
Bartlett Community Concert Band. “We noticed that
there was a performing arts center on the city budget
which was to date unfunded.” The first thing Skelton did
was to approach the Board of Mayor and Alderman, and
ask for the center to be built. Skelton says that he was
then asked by one of the aldermen how many times the
band performed. As he spoke the answer, the light began
to shine on the fact that more would have to be done to
realize his goal. When he said that they performed twice a
year, the alderman replied, ‘and what do you propose we
do with the facility the other 363 days out of the year?’

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Skelton

How the Bartlett
Five banded together
to make a difference
in the Cultural Arts.

Skelton’s passion for music and his city brought him
to Sue Griffith Coleman, the president of the Bartlett
Area Chamber of Commerce in the late 80’s. Both were
members of the charter class of Leadership Bartlett
in 1990. Part of the program was for small groups to
choose a project to work on that would improve the city
of Bartlett. One group, including Skelton, Coleman, Carr
and Murchison, chose enhancing the cultural arts in
Bartlett as all shared the passion and vision of a vibrant
arts community and performing arts center.
The Cultural Arts Committee was formed in 1990
under the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce and
Hirsch, a graduate of Leadership Bartlett Class of 1991
joined it the next year. Over the next several years this
committee (Murchison left Bartlett after two years)
organized the Bartlett Community Concert Band, the
Bartlett Community Chorus and the Bartlett Children’s
Chorus. After a year or two all of these organizations were
stable enough to move out on their own. The Community
Concert Band and Community Chorus continue in
existence today. The Childrens Chorus disbanded after
4-5 years. They also implemented “Fourth Fridays for
the Arts” at the Village Inn (now La Hacienda Mexican

Restaurant on Stage Road) which
were luncheons where local artists
performed, as well as other events.
The committee continued working
for a performing arts center and Ron
Jewell, a graduate of Leadership
Bartlett Class of 1993, joined in the
effort. “I was just a flim flam guy,”
said Jewell who has been the director
of the Bartlett Performing Arts and
Conference Center since it opened in
December of 1998. “The truth is that
the timing was right, I was marketing
director of the Memphis Symphony
Orchestra and the right people came
along at the right time to find me, who
had the background to articulate what
they envisioned. My role and this center
are built on the shoulders of those that
came before.”
One of those that came before is
Hirsh. As manager of Wilson World
Hotel in Wolfchase which now
operates under another name, it was a
marketing strategy, but as a resident
of Bartlett she simply wanted to be
able to go to concerts and productions
without leaving her community. “I love
the arts,” said Hirsh. “And I didn’t
want to go to Germantown or Memphis
to enjoy them. I wanted to enjoy them
in my own community.” Janet Carr was
an active member of the committee and
retired from First Tennessee several
years ago. We were unable to locate her
for this article.
The Leadership Bartlett classes
came up with many ideas, a recycling
program, senior buses, bicycles for
the police department, among others.
Many fell by the wayside, but there
were some that have made positive
changes in Bartlett.
“Our goal was not to run the
various ideas that were implemented,”
explained Coleman. “Our goal was
to get them started and find other
community members interested in
taking them over and running them.
So many of the ideas never left the
ground, others went on for a short
time, and others are still operating.
And that was okay, we had to find out
what the community wanted and let
that be the driving force.”
That inclusiveness has realized
not only the Bartlett Performing

Arts and Conference Center but the
annual firemen fundraising Pancake
Breakfast, the Bartlett Rotary Club,
and televised Board of Mayor and
Aldermen meetings just to name a
few.
The Bartlett Five attribute the
foresight and drive of Mayor Bobby
Flaherty to bringing the small,
rural town of 1970s to become the

10th largest city in Tennessee
today. Mayor Keith McDonald has
continued the tradition of growth and
leadership into the 21st Century.

•

Written by David Skelton of
Bartlett who has been and continues
to be a moving force in the city.
Among other things, he is usually the
go-to person to MC events in Bartlett.

37

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) ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Debra

Malone-Reeve

Rediscovering

Memphis

Gibson Guitar Factory

A Five-Day Odyssey

A

The Ducks are the stars at the Peabody Hotel.

s a military family the first thing we did when moving to a new
location was to find out why people loved the area they called home.
While we are now a retired military family, this attitude followed us
on our move to the Memphis area. What was it about Memphis that
made people love this city? We began exploring to discover the gems
of Memphis. Now when family and friends visit us in our Memphis
home the question always is “where are you taking us this time?”
Like most natives of an area, many Memphians take this unique and fascinating
area for granted. I challenge you to take a fresh look at our great city as if it were
the first time. Below is a five-day tour of Memphis that we have used when friends
and family visit. This is but a snapshot and not a complete listing of everything
there is to do in Memphis.

Day one of the tour starts with a trip to the Peabody Hotel to see one of the
great American hotels and experience the famous duck march. Make sure you get
there early to order a beverage in the grand hotel lobby and stroll through the
shops. Next, as it is almost lunch time, head over to the iconic BB Kings Blues
Club, enjoy authentic southern cooking, and take in the history during your stroll
down Beale Street. At night the place is alive with music and festive activities but
don’t discount visiting during the day. Visit WC Handy Park, do a bit of shopping,
read the history signs and saunter down the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of
Fame. How many of the names are you familiar with? Finish the day with The
Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour and discover the eerie legends of Memphis.
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

BB King’s Blues Club on Beale Street.

Day two is Music Day and
there are plenty of music museums
to keep you busy. The Stax
Museum of American Soul, the
home of Stax records, is one of
the few museums in the country
dedicated to Soul Music. Next
stop is the Gibson Guitar Factory
to learn the history and see the
craftsmanship that goes into these

(Above) The Stax Museum of American Soul, (inset) the Million Dollar Quartet recorded at Sun Studio.

legendary guitars. Your final visit is
to Sun Studio, famous for its unique
sound and as the first studio that
recorded Elvis Presley. It is said that
his first recording was for his Mother.

Day three takes you outside with
a trip to the bluffs of the Mississippi

River and the Chickasaw Heritage
Park (formerly DeSoto Park) where
it is believed Hernando DeSoto first
viewed the Mississippi River. The
park preserves ceremonial mounds
built by the Paleo Indians in the
1590â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. During the Civil War these
mounds were hollowed out and used

(Above) The National Civil Rights Museum, (inset) the National Ornamental Metal Museum.
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

as weapons bunkers as part of
Fort Pickering, which was first a
Confederate installation and then
a Union fortification. The fort was
demolished in 1866. A short walk
across the street brings you to the
gates of the National Ornamental
Metal Museum. This is the only
institution in the United States
dedicated exclusively to the art
and craft of metalwork. You can
see how art is created and view

the special exhibits. The Ornamental
Metal Museum sits on the site of the
US Marine Hospital dating back to
1884. The facility was originally used
to treat Civil War soldiers and conduct
scientific research in hopes of finding
a cure for yellow fever.

Day four includes a visit to the
Civil Rights Museum. To truly
understand the South a visit to
this Museum is a must. The former

Lorraine Hotel and site of the
assassination of the Reverend
Martin Luther King, the museum
provides a moving and memorable
experience. For yet another view of
the South, head over to Mud Island
and walk the scale model of the
Mississippi River. This walk provides
a perspective of the importance and
impact this river has not only on the
South but the entire country. Don’t
forget the Mississippi River Museum
at the park detailing the history of
the river. Now that you have seen
the scale model, walk over to Tom
Lee Park and actually touch the
mighty Mississippi River. Be sure to
plan ahead and book a Mississippi
River Boat Dinner Cruise so you can
travel on the river.

Day five takes you to the Pink
Palace Museum. To view this
museum and all that it offers will
take many trips. There is a replica
of the first self-serve grocery store,
a game changer in the grocery
industry. Don’t miss the miniature
circus, the Planetarium or the 3D
Theatre. You can never grow tired of
this museum because there is always
something that was missed on a
previous visit.
Memphis has so much to offer.
As you visit the different museums
and places of interest in the area,
you begin to realize that Memphis
holds a place in history much greater
than you originally thought. You are
encouraged to continue the discovery
and find the not-so-common
attractions to enjoy.

•

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) ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

By Jason

A. Sykes

BPACC: Setting the Stage for

Great Performances
and Memorable Events

F

or 17 seasons the Bartlett
Performing Arts and Conference
Center (BPACC) has provided
a stellar line-up of world-class
entertainment. The current
performance season continues
that exciting tradition. In addition
BPACC’s conference and meeting facilities have
also set the stage for countless professional events.
BPACC, which is owned by the City of Bartlett,
has become the “go-to” meeting space for corporate
executives, civic bodies, and individuals throughout
the region.
When BPACC began, the concept was to not
just offer a place to experience live performances
but also an accessible gathering place for business
and social exchange. The dual purpose is reflected
in the building’s design, technical capabilities, as
well as the flexibility of the available spaces. Rooms can
be arranged for lectures, conferences or sales meetings
as easily as they can be configured for baby showers
or family reunions. BPACC’s objective is to help create
memorable events for a wide variety of clientele.
Many businesses find it necessary to take meetings
off-site. A change in location can foster creative solutions
and productivity. As a part of its facility rental program,
BPACC offers six
different spaces that are
ideal for professionals
and executives to
convene. The A.E.
Beaty Conference Room
features a picturesque
view of Appling Lake,
providing a quiet,
professional atmosphere
for its occupants. In every theatre there is a traditional
space called the “Green Room” where performers await
their cue to go on stage. At BPACC it also serves as
an intimate and elegant location for small private
discussions or even a secluded executive luncheon. The
Studio, which is the largest of the conference spaces,
is an exceptionally versatile, sound proof room with
floating hardwood floors and 25-foot vaulted ceilings,

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

making it perfect for dance and acting classes, rehearsals,
luncheons, workshops, or planning sessions.
The auditorium and main stage are undoubtedly
the heart of BPACC. With events ranging from private
recitals, special music event, and theatrical productions
by outside promoters to corporate seminars, multi-day
conferences and training sessions, the auditorium is
the most multipurpose space available. With a seating
capacity of 350 and equipped with state-of-the-art sound
and LED lighting system, the auditorium
provides the perfect location to entertain
as well as to inform participants. The
2,800 square foot main stage can be
rented separately and treated as a large
meeting room itself. A variety of seating
options can be customized to suit each
individual event.
Businesses and event planners
have numerous choices when it comes
to available rental sites. An emphasis on the client
experience, affordability and professional attention
to detail is what makes the Bartlett Performing Arts
and Conference Center the premier facility of choice by
leaders throughout the region. Take a virtual tour of the
Mid-South’s most intimate concert and conference facility
at www.bpacc.org or call 901-385-6440 to schedule a
personal site visit.

•

LIFESTYLES

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T E N N E S S E E

150

INSIGHTS

YEARS

The Blackwell House

G Historic

HO M E S
Bartlettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rich history is reflected in
these grand old residences

The Manor House at Davies Manor Plantation

M

ost of the historic homes are located in the Bartlett Station
area in the designated Bartlett Historic District. From
Sycamore View on the east, Main Street on the South, Court
Street on the west and Woodlawn Road to the north, the
Historic District includes 13 homes that are over 100 years

old (built between 1866-1916); 47 homes that are more than 50 years old
(built between 1916-1966); and nine homes built in the last 50 years (1966
to the present).
51

Cedar Hall

The Gotten House

OLDEST HOMES IN THE BARTLETT AREA
Davies Manor on Davies Plantation Road
Originally a log cabin built in 1830s and improved
over the following century, Davies Manor is considered
the oldest house in Shelby County. The Davies family
moved into the cabin in 1838 and occupied the house for
150 years. The once extensive property was a working
plantation with a library, post office and general store.
Today the home is a museum and cultural center.
Cedar Hall on Broadway Road in Ellendale
Built in 1845 by Dr. Samuel Bond, the mansion was
originally called The Avenues. The landmark house is a
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

two-story brick Greek Revival mansion which has been
refurbished through the years and today is a Bed &
Breakfast.

OVER 100 YEARS OLD IN HISTORIC DISTRICT
COURT STREET
2969 Court â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bartlett Museum/Gotten House
In 1871, Nicholas Gotten engaged James Oglesby to
build a home in traditional New England saltbox style for
his family. The family lived there until the early 1900s.
Descendants are still active in the Bartlett community
and museum.

The Manor House at Davies Manor Plantation

2978 Court
Built in 1884 by unknown owners, in the 1950s it was
purchased by Mabel Richmond. Although bedridden,
Mabel became the dispatcher for the fire department in
1952 by using her telephone to call volunteer firemen
to action when a fire was reported. She served for more
than 17 years.
3189 Court
Built in 1906 by William Bledsoe, his son Robert and
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

wife Elva married in 1931 and lived in the home. In
1982, Elva founded the Bartlett Historical Society and
Bartlett Museum. Bledsoe descendants still live in the
home.
3192 Court
One of the oldest homes (1860â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) in the Historic
District, the house originally had two rooms down and
two rooms up, a kitchen and porch. The present owners
bought it in 1966 and made many improvements.

The Manor House at Davies Manor Plantation

SYCAMORE VIEW ROAD
2923 Sycamore View
Built in 1890 and known as the Pruden home, the
current owners have made extensive improvements.
2943 Sycamore View
Traced back to 1868 when Col. Clark Russell Barteau
bought the simple two room cabin. He and his wife, Zura,
kept a school in the house for many years. The present
owners have done extensive renovations.
2944 Sycamore View
William Ward had the Victorian piano style home built
in 1871 by James Oglesby. It was later bought by the Lilly
family who owned the Lilly Carriage Company.The house
passed through several owners and in 1952 was purchased
by Clarence Saunders of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store
fame, who died there in 1953.
2957 Sycamore View
Built in 1910; no history available.
3029 Sycamore View
The oldest home in Bartlett Historic District was built
for Rev. John Shelton, a school teacher, by James Oglesby
in 1861. Interior doors and windows have Egyptian Revival
style architecture.
3038 Sycamore View
Built in 1913 in the Memphis Cottage Style by the
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INSIGHTS

Klinke family of the Klinke Dairies, and resided in until
1998. The present owners bought the home in 2000 and
made extensive changes to the house.
3077 Sycamore View
A beautiful curved mahogany staircase is one of the
features of this home, built in 1869 by James Oglesby for
Dr. Nicholas and Virginia Blackwell in the Gothic Revival
architecture style. Descendants of the Blackwells lived in
the home until the early 1980s.
3101 Sycamore View
Built circa 1870, this home features a gable-front-andwing Folk Victorian cottage with two corbelled masonry
chimneys serving two fireplaces each. The present owners
are renovating it.
3292 Sycamore View
Built by Henry Clifton Sr. around 1890, this house was
constructed of 12 x 18 hand hewn logs from yellow poplar
trees located on the property.

NOT IN THE
HISTORIC DISTRICT
5653 Stage Road
This frame home, on the southwest corner of Stage Road
and Shelby Street, was built in 1873-74 by Buckley J.
Kimbrough and wife Julia. The residence consisted of four
rooms, a hall and a dining room.

â&#x20AC;˘

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S

eniors, and by that we don’t mean fourthyear high school and college students,
are referred to by a variety of descriptive
terms: elderly, older people, 55+ consumers,
aging adults, seasoned citizens or, as the
Durham Foundation call this group, “God’s
older children.” The reality is that with ever-increasing
improvements in medical care and other factors such as
improved diet and exercise, the average longevity of the 65
year-old adult has now reached 86.6 years for women and
85.3 for men. One of four seniors will live past 90 and one of
ten will reach 95. Truly, 50 is the new 35!
How many seniors are there in Bartlett? The American
Census Quick Facts from their latest data states that 12.5%
of the Bartlett population is 65 or older. Based on the city’s
population of 58,264, that means there are approximately
7,300 seniors, enough to form a Political Action Committee
and swing some local elections… but I digress.
While many seniors continue to enjoy living in their
Bartlett area homes, some are beginning to consider
downsizing as the responsibilities of maintaining a yard and
a house become more challenging or just too time consuming.
There are, happily, a growing number of alternatives for

By Beverly Holmgren

SENIORS
in Bartlett

home ownership in the Bartlett area.
These include zero-lot line homes, which
finally received approved zoning and are
gaining in popularity, as well as assisted
living communities including Elmcroft,
Robinwood, Ave Maria Home, and others.
If more intensive or rehabilitation care is
required, The King’s Daughters and Sons
Home, Quail Ridge Alzheimer’s Place, the
aforementioned Ave Maria, and Rainbow
Health and Rehab are conveniently
located in Bartlett.
With ever-increasing good health
and affluence, seniors are more and
more active than in previous generations. Dining out,
entertainment, travel, exercising, educational opportunities,
time with family and friends top the list of priorities for
seniors. The Bartlett area offers a plethora of resources and
activities for seniors including restaurants both fine and
casual with some featuring senior-priced menus. Musical
performances, plays, comedians and magicians appear at
The Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (3663
Appling / 385-6440). Don’t forget to check out the Bartlett
Library (5884 Stage/ 386-8968) where senior-related
programs such as “iPads for Seniors”, “Colorcopia” and
AARP income tax services are offered. We recommend a
call ahead for scheduling. For a small annual membership
fee, the Bartlett Senior Center (5727 Woodlawn / 385-6439)
provides an extensive range of activities from canasta,
creative writing, crafts, to dances and even Tai Chi and
Yoga.
Bartlett prides itself on its network of family parks for
gatherings, festivals and a Farmers Market during the
season. Golf, anyone? Quail Ridge and Stonebridge Golf
courses offer rates for senior scratch golfers and duffers

alike. Many churches have senior activity
groups which provide opportunities to
socialize and travel.
Health, financial stability and
family are the top three interests of
seniors. Unfortunately, we have only
so much control over these factors and
circumstances may occur for which there
is no recourse. Fortunately, the upside
is that the more years we are on this
planet, the more we understand and
accept adversity. Through patience and
in many cases, faith, we can overcome
disappointments and continue on.
Cynicism and depression can happen; however, we must
remember we can only control one thing and that is
ourselves (well, maybe not our bladders). Sometimes it is
difficult to remember that there is a silver lining, but we
must be patient. As my late Mother taught me to pray, “God,
please give me patience. RIGHT NOW!” Remember to keep
your sense of humor and take things with a grain of salt. But
be careful, too much salt is not good for you!
Now here are a few tips to brighten your life: consider
volunteering your time to a non-profit that provides services
to those in need or supports a cause you support. There
is a list of those organizations in the Commercial Appeal
each week. And my personal favorite tip: please adopt a
companion animal - not a puppy or kitten… but, perhaps an
older animal. Call the Bartlett Shelter 385-6484. You won’t
regret it.
There is one constant, and that is we are grateful to
live in Bartlett. Check out www.cityofbartlett.org for more
information and look for the link to The Bartlett Information
Guide, an annual publication of programs, activities, special
events and more.

•

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Enhancing the
quality of life
for all residents
of Bartlett

S

ince the creation of
the Department of
Parks & Recreation
in the early 80’s, the
City of Bartlett has
prided itself on its
quantity and quality of parks. Its
mission is to “enhance the quality
of life for all residents of Bartlett by
providing diverse and quality leisure
programs, services, and facilities
that encourage health, fitness,
relaxation, enjoyment, and learning,
as well as providing opportunities
for community involvement”. Nearly
1000 acres of public land is set
aside for the enjoyment of children,
young and mature adults, and
senior citizens. There are 14 miles
of walking trails, 2.6 miles of nature
trails, over 11 miles of mountain bike
trails, eight soccer fields, 15 baseball
& softball fields, five multi-purpose
field’s, a 25’ x 25’ swimming pool

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Bartlett

PARKS

61

and all within the 29 parks owned and managed by the
City. Bartlett claims one of the only three Cricket Fields in
Shelby County.
The City of Bartlett maintains the Singleton
Community Center with over 150 various program
activities as well as the Bartlett Senior Center. The
newly created Splash Park opened in June of 2015 which
averages over 200 kids a day during the summer.
Bartlett has consistently met or exceeded the
guidelines of the National Parks & Recreation
Association which advocates a minimum of 6.25 –
10.5 acres of open space per 1000 population. In 2015
Bartlett received the top award from the Tennessee
Parks & Recreation Association for “Most Outstanding
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Maintenance Supervisor” presented to Bo Maharrey.
Also, that same year Warren Young received the “Most
Outstanding Volunteer” award for his work on designing
and building the 2.6 nature trail in Nesbit Park alongside
City of Bartlett’s GIS professional Todd Graves.
In addition to existing park space the City is diligently
planning for the future. It’s vison of a 20 mile greenway
trail that ties into the Shelby County network will bring
new opportunities for extensive biking, running and
walking.
With a full time staff of 41 and 163 part time and
seasonal staff, Director David Thompson and Assistant
Director Shan Criswell have led an exceptional team that
provide the citizens of Bartlett a world class amenity.

t was early on a Saturday morning, and as Ezaldeen
Abushanab arrived at work, he felt under the weather.
“I was tired and dizzy,” said Ezaldeen. “I didn’t have
any energy.”
Ezaldeen decided to make a quick trip to pick up
something to eat, hoping that would make him feel
better. On the way to the restaurant, other drivers honked
at Ezeldeen because he was having difficulty controlling
his vehicle. When he was ready to eat, Ezeldeen was
unable to drink his soda without spilling it. Somehow
Ezeldeen managed to avoid causing an accident while
driving back to work.
“The way I walked back into the office, it looked like I
was drunk.”
But Ezaldeen wasn’t drunk, he was having a stroke.
Ezaldeen had typical stroke symptoms including a
drooping mouth, slurred speech, dizziness, and difficulty
moving his arm. However, the possibility that he might be
experiencing a stroke never occurred to him.
“I know all about the signs of a heart attack. I am 52

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

years old, and I thought that strokes only happened to
senior citizens,” explained Ezaldeen. “I just thought I
needed to go to sleep.”
Fortunately, Ezaldeen’s coworkers realized something
was wrong. They called 9-1-1. The paramedics evaluated
Ezaldeen and rushed him to Saint Francis HospitalBartlett.
“When we arrived at the hospital, everything happened
very quickly,” said Julie, Abushanab, Ezaldeen’s wife.
“There was a feeling of urgency.”
That was because time is of the essence for stroke
victims. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is
interrupted or blocked. However, if an ischemic stroke
patient is able to receive a clot-busting drug called tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA) within four hours of the onset
of stroke symptoms, the chance of recovering from a stroke
may be improved.
“Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett provides a teleneurology
service called ‘Specialists on Call’ for our stroke patients,”
said Cammie Hughes, R.N., stroke coordinator. “This 24/7

65

service allows our patients to be quickly
evaluated by a neurologist via computer
screen. The neurologist is then able to
diagnose the stroke and make treatment
recommendations to our emergency room
physicians, the patient, and his or her
family. This saves valuable time in our
efforts to diagnose and treat stroke.”
Because Ezaldeen arrived at Saint
Francis Hospital-Bartlett soon after the
onset of his stroke symptoms, he was
able to be treated with tPA. Ezaldeen
spent the next 24 hours in ICU before
being transferred to a general hospital
room. Less than 72 hours after arriving
at the hospital as a stroke victim,
Ezaldeen was released from the hospital.
“The Joint Commission has
recognized Saint Francis HospitalBartlett with Advanced Certification for
Primary Stroke Centers,” said Hughes.
“We were able to achieve Primary
Stroke Center Certification because we
demonstrated that our program meets
critical elements of performance to
achieve long-term success in improving
outcomes for stroke patients. “
Ezaldeen is one of those patients
with an excellent outcome. He hasn’t
experienced any lasting effects from his
stroke.
“I received excellent care,” said
Ezaldeen. “From the moment I arrived
in the emergency room until the
moment I left the hospital, I felt like I
was in good hands and that the doctors
and nurses were focused on doing all
they could for me.”
“There were a lot of things that could
have gone wrong from the moment
Ezaldeen’s stroke symptoms started,”
said Julie. “This experience has really
helped us put life into perspective.
We’re very thankful.”

•

Stroke SymptomsAct F.A.S.T.
Symptoms of a stroke happen quickly.
Stroke is an emergency, and it is
important to act F.A.S.T.
Face: Look for an uneven smile.
Arms: Check if one arm is weak or
drifts downward when the person tries
to raise both arms.
Speech: Listen for slurred speech.
Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see
any of these signs.
BARTLETT

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) LIFESTYLES

By Dr. Steven R. Shunpiker

Enjoying the

OUTDOORS
in the Mid-South

F

[

H i k i n g , B o a ti n g & C a m p i n g

or Mid-Southerners who enjoy the
outdoors but are not serious hunters
or fishermen, there are many activities
and adventures available within an easy
day’s drive. One of the big advantages
of our region is its geographical and
cultural diversity. Within a 350 mile
radius of the Memphis area you can enjoy the tallest
mountains in the eastern U.S., the nation’s clearest
and cleanest lakes and streams, the most bio-diverse
forests in North America, and all types of wildlife, big
and small.
Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip, a long
weekend or just a few hours outdoors it’s waiting for you
at your convenience. Some of our most popular outdoor
destinations are included in this article, but there are
many more where these come from….
Always remember that all outdoor activities should
be conducted with the weather in mind. During the hot
summer months higher elevations are always preferable
for hiking (2,000 ft. and above). The prime season for
hiking and camping in the Mid-South is September –
May.

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

]

P referred H iking T rails :

Nesbit Park (Bartlett)
Although Nesbit is known for its extensive mountain
bike trails, for those seeking a quick retreat from the
urban environment a new hiking trail was recently
completed. http://www.midsouthtrails.com/msta/nesbit_
park.html
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
(three mile nature loop)
One of the state’s most visited parks; Meeman-Shelby
Forest is conveniently located just north of Downtown
Memphis. The loop trail begins near the park’s Main
Office and provides a surprisingly great workout,
especially in the cooler spring, fall and even winter
months. Do not attempt in hot humid weather. http://
tnstateparks.com/parks/about/meeman-shelby
Reelfoot Lake (Tennessee State Park)
While plans are in the pipeline for a trail that will
encompass the north 12+ miles of the north shore, there
are currently just a few hiking trails.
The best way to experience Reelfoot is by boat, and
canoes or motor boats are available for rent. There are
some very primitive areas within the lake’s boundaries

that may spook some and yet invigorate others. The
Welcome Center staff provides all the information a visitor
needs to experience the lake as well as the ‘down and dirty’
on what to see and do. Don’t forget to eat at Boyette’s and
go to Union City to Discovery Park! http://tnstateparks.
com/parks/about/reelfoot-lake
Ft. Pillow State Historic Park (Tennessee)
Ft. Pillow Park is focused more on Civil War history
than nature but provides 15 miles of very picturesque and
secluded trails. A little further down the highway is the
Lower Hatchie River Wildlife Refuge. A rudimentary trail
provides an outstanding view of the Mississippi River that
unfortunately gets overgrown during the summer, making
fall and winter the best time for enjoying the trail. http://
tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fort-pillow
Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
Hot Springs has an extensive trail network within
the heart of the city. Nestled in the Oauchita Mountains
and only a three hour drive from the Memphis area, the
Springs are actually pretty impressive and a spa treatment
is definitely worth the experience. http://www.nps.gov/
hosp/index.htm

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Petit Jean State Park (Arkansas)
One of Arkansas’ favorite parks atop a
small plateau with waterfalls and canyons,
Petit Jean offers numerous trails and other
activities and is only a three-hour drive
away. http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/
Big Hill Pond State Park (West
Tennessee)
Featuring hills, cypress swamps and
limestone outcroppings all thrown together,
this park is one of the most unique in West
Tennessee. I used to take my daughter
hiking here often. A one-hour drive from
Bartlett leaves plenty of time for a nice
day of sightseeing and hiking. http://
tnstateparks.com/parks/about/big-hillpond
William B. Clark Preserve Boardwalk
(Rossville, TN)
This is one of the best boardwalks in
West Tennessee for observing the bottomland ecosystem. If
you have never experienced a dense Cypress/Tupelo forest,
this is a must. http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/
regions/northamerica/unitedstates/tennessee/
placesweprotect/william-b-clark-conservation-area.xml
Lady’s Bluff Small Wild Area Trail
(TVA – Kentucky Lake)
Overlooking the Tennessee River, this trail offers
stunning views. When combined with a visit to nearby
Mousetail State Park and/or Chickasaw State Park, you
will experience a long but full day. http://www.tva.gov/
river/recreation/dispersed/trail-table_hold.htm
Sipsey National Wilderness Area (Alabama)
You can make this a very special one day excursion and
be back by dark or do an overnighter. Although Sipsey is
the most western expanse of the Appalachian Mountain
Chain, don’t expect any mountains. It’s mostly the
remnants of the Cumberland Plateau; instead of climbing
mountains you will descend into small canyons thick
with Appalachian flora. This is the beginning, or the end
depending on your perspective, of the Rhododendron and
Mountain Laurel western reach. Numerous clear streams,

interesting rock formations, narrow
passageways and lush vegetation
make this a great hiking adventure.
http://www.sipseywilderness.org/
Dismal Canyon (Alabama)
Located close to Sipsey National
Wilderness, Dismal Canyon is
privately owned. A sort of a rustic
Rock City, instead of being on top of
a mountain you’re down in a steep
narrow canyon. This is one of only two
places in the world that has a certain
type of Glow Worm. The other location
in New Zealand…go figure!
http://www.dismalscanyon.com/
W hitewater rafting :

is

Cherohala Skyway

Spring River (Arkansas)
The closest whitewater
experience to Memphis is Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas,
an easy 2.5 hour drive. This very unique river is actually
created by one mammoth spring (which is its official name),
and is said to be able to supply the city of New York with
all its water needs. The river it forms is always ice cold.
http://www.arkansas.com/outdoors/water-activities/
lakes-rivers/river.aspx?id=15
Current River National Park (Missouri)
This river is my idea of what a great tubing river should
be. In fact, I can think of no other river anywhere that
compares to the Current. As the name implies, it has a swift
current but no rapids. Your float is seldom interrupted except
for a few gravel shoals which are easily maneuverable. The
river is fed by numerous springs some of which are big (check
out Big Spring), yet the water maintains a very pleasant
temperature. This is great family fun and the outfitters make
it easy. http://www.nps.gov/ozar/index.htm
W eekend R etreats :

Tellico Plains and the
Cherohala Skyway
If you’re seeking a nice extended weekend retreat, a
reprieve from the heat or to gaze upon nature’s amazing color

display in the fall, this is the place. Tellico Plains, located
northeast of Chattanooga, is the quintessential experience of
the South’s High Country when approaching from the east.
Avoid the hassle of bumper to bumper traffic in the Smoky
Mountains and discover a beautiful slice of the Appalachian
Mountains that offers a wonderful experience for the whole
family. The Scenic Cherohala Skyway is a great introduction
to the region. Excellent hiking trails include Bald River
Falls Trail and by far the most scenic hike in the area is the
Huckleberry Knob Trail. At the end of the Skyway is the
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, which is a must-see. This area
is a perfect location for escaping the heat. http://www.tellicoplains.com/tellico-river-bald-river-falls.html
The Tellico River is a wonderful free flowing river with
excellent swimming holes and famous for its trout fishing.
The nearby Hiwassee River and Ocoee River also offer
great fun for the family.
http://www.hiwasseeoutfitters.com/

•

Dr. Steven R. Shunpiker is a self-proclaimed expert
on the highways, byways and out-of-the-way places of
Tennessee and the Mid-South region. He earned his degree
in travelology at Myth College.

71

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) LIFESTYLES

By Jean Perritte

Discover the

WORLD

Experience International Travel the Chamber Way

L

ooking to expand your
travel horizons and
seek a little adventure
yet somewhat
apprehensive about
what you will find in
terms of comfort and
convenience? Look no further than
“Travel with the Chamber.”
Since 2010 the Bartlett Area
Chamber of Commerce (BACC)
has offered exciting trips abroad
at incredibly attractive prices by
partnering with an internationally
reputable firm that specializes
in working with chambers of
commerce throughout the country.
The testimonials from our chamber
patrons have been extremely positive.
The attention to detail and hands-on
care that our partners provide the
chamber traveler ensures that you will
have a most enjoyable experience.
The “Travel with the Chamber”
series has included such popular
destinations as Italy, Spain, France,
Ireland and Austria as well as places
off the beaten path such as Hungary,

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Czech Republic, Argentina, Bahrain
and India.
The series runs once or twice a
year depending on the destination
and demand. Promotion for the
series is limited to select print ads,
social media and general word of
mouth. “Actually word of mouth
among past travelers is by far our
best form of promotion”, says Jerry
Dupree, Director of Member Services
for the BACC. “Once we select a
destination we send notices to all past
travelers and those who have asked
to be on the list. Word seems to get
out quickly and the calls for more
information start rolling in. We love
offering this service to the community
and it makes me extremely happy to
know that our customers truly have a
sensational time.”
If you would like to get on the
travel list simply contact Jerry
Dupree at the Bartlett Chamber
and don’t hesitate to ask about
future trips. We actually encourage
recommendations for future
destinations!

he first year of Bartlett City Schools (BCS) is much like the first year of a child’s
life. An inaugural year has many milestones that must be documented and
celebrated. Our staff, teachers, students, and parents support an attitude of
excellence each and every day. I am incredibly proud of our inaugural year and
excited about our future.
Entering the second year, however, growth and development becomes the
focus. To achieve its goals, BCS will continue to rely upon highly effective
teachers, proven school leadership, supportive district staff, and an engaged community. We
can look back on this first year with a true sense of accomplishment.
Implementing the 1:1 (one to one) initiative is an accomplishment that is a source of pride
for our community. All students in grades 6 – 9 received an 11” MacBook Air. Students
have continuous, meaningful exposure to technology, which is a necessity in today’s world.
MacBooks are used daily across the curriculum to facilitate research, creativity, and personal
involvement in learning. Students at each campus come to school excited about learning as
teachers step out of their comfort zones to implement engaging, technology-based lessons.
According to Vanessa Moore, geometry and German teacher at BCS’s Ninth Grade Academy,
“The one to one environment has given me the ability to monitor student practice in a way
that I never thought possible. I presented the students with an individual activity and as the
students worked through the activity, I can watch their answers appear in real time on my
computer.”
Students are supported in this endeavor by teachers as well as outside sources. Bartlett
City Schools is the first school district in the U.S. to have Apple Care Enterprise (ACE), which
75

gives our students 24-hour phone access
to assistance. In addition ACE provides a
two-day turnaround on MacBook repairs.
The third component of the program
assures that teachers receive pertinent
Professional Development monthly from
an Apple Trainer.
Bartlett City Schools is honored to be
one of the 12 school districts across our
state to achieve Exemplary status, the
Tennessee Department of Education’s
(TDOE) highest designation. Districts
receiving this designation are those
that significantly improved student
performance and narrowed achievement

gaps under Tennessee’s accountability system. According
to TDOE, Exemplary districts are those who have met
the majority of their achievement goals, have met the
majority of their goals to close the achievement gaps, and
have ensured every subgroup – students with disabilities,
racial minorities, English learners, and students from
economically disadvantaged backgrounds – also moves
forward in the majority of its target areas. Achieving
exemplary status is a tribute to the tenacity and hard
work of students, parents, teachers, administrators, as
well as the community.
Within Bartlett City School’s spotlight, Bon Lin
Elementary School has received a special recognition

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

that is reserved for the top five percent
of the schools across the state of
Tennessee as measured by overall
student achievement levels.
Another milestone for our school
district is the creation of the STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering,
Arts and Math) Honors Academy,
a significant addition to Rivercrest
Elementary School. Bartlett, embracing
the importance of students being well
rounded, added the arts as a natural
flow for our instruction. Therefore,
we created a STEAM rather than
STEM academy. Students across the
district were encouraged to apply to
be included in the STEAM Academy.
Ninety-one students were accepted in
grades 1-5. Project Lead the Way is
the nation’s lead provider of science,
technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) curriculum and professional
development. After much research,
Project Lead the Way was selected as
our avenue for effective training for
our STEAM teachers and a unique
project-based curriculum. Those
students who were accepted into the
academy get STEAM integration into
their instructional time. Rivercrest assistant principal
Tonjua Woods shared, “Students are learning it is ok if
they have to come back and correct later to make their
project better. They aren’t afraid to try.” With the focus
on growth and development, Rivercrest is a starting point
for future STEAM expansion to all grades K-12.
The Bartlett community has been very supportive of
all facets of our new school district. We look forward to
many improvements and adjustments as we continue to
hone our skills to enable us to offer a first class education
to all students at all levels. With the continued support
our community partners, we will build upon our strong
foundation.

•

(

) EDUCATION

Choices in

Higher Education

T

odayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workplace environment has changed dramatically in the
150 years that Bartlett has been incorporated. Yet the past 20
years has been even more radical. Technologies that were just
becoming reality a few decades ago have become fully integrated
into every aspect of our lives. Not only has the digital age
impacted how we plan, communicate and strategize at work but
it also has had profound impact on how we interconnect socially.
Everyone today is on a constant learning curve and to remain relevant we
must all stay abreast of a changing landscape.
The need for advanced training and learning has never been more
important. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to know that numerous organizations are stepping up
to the plate to ensure that all of us have the options necessary to remain
competitive. The Bartlett Chamber has many members that provide a broad
array of post-secondary education opportunities. From learning the culinary
arts to operating a one-half million dollar Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
machine, there are institutions in the Bartlett area designed to help you
develop marketable skills or to fine tune the ones you already possess.
Here are some of the entities that offer advanced studies:
BELHAVEN MEMPHIS/
DESOTO COUNTY
The Memphis, Tennessee and
DeSoto County (in north Mississippi)
campuses of Belhaven University,
offer accelerated adult education
and graduate degrees that enable
working adults to fit a quality, higher
education into their busy schedule and
budget. Taught by field specialists in
small classes, the programs provide a
relevant education within a Christian
worldview.
BETHEL UNIVERSITY MEMPHIS
The Memphis campus has been
serving non-traditional learners since
January of 2004. Ten classrooms are
located in a two-story brick building
located just off Poplar Avenue at 5885
Ridgeway Center Parkway, near the
Hilton. The campus is currently home
to the Academic Affairs Coordinator
for the MBA Program, the Associate
Director of MBA Student Services, and
the Associate Director of Corporate
Development/Recruitment. Students
enjoy free wifi and two kitchens
outfitted with vending machines,
refrigerators, sinks, and microwaves.

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Christian Brothers University
is a four-year, private university founded
on the heritage of Lasallian education
in Memphis, TN. While large enough to
provide educational opportunities in the
arts, business, education, engineering and
sciences, the University is small enough to
keep its student/faculty ratio to 13:1. Our
student body is full of diverse cultures,
faiths, and interests. The University
welcomes students into an educational
community of faith and service that is
committed to academic excellence.
ITT Technical Institute
A leading private postsecondary
institutions that offer vocational career
training for careers in the growing field of
health care. Concorde serves the segment
of the population seeking a career-focused
education. Currently operate 16 campuses
in 8 states.
L’École Culinaire
offers educational
opportunities for
the aspiring, careerminded chef. Students
experience hands-on
learning and careerbased instruction by
professionals in the
culinary industry. As
an ACCSC accredited
culinary school, L’École
Culinaire prepares
students for careers in
the culinary industry
by offering associate
degrees and diplomas in the culinary arts.
William R. Moore College of
Technology (Moore Tech) is to
provide students with the training and
skills necessary to become successful in
business and industry. It is the goal of the
college to provide students with a working
knowledge of the skills needed to enter
employment in the program area of their
choice.
National College has helped working
adults in the Bartlett area achieve their
education goals since 2007 and continues
to build on its reputation among local
employers for its skilled graduates.
Paul Mitchell the School Memphis
is a NACCAS accredited cosmetology
school located at 8000 Hwy 64 Suite 108,
at the corner of Hwy 64 and Germantown
Pkwy. Since 2007, PMTS Memphis has

provided an internationally renowned
education program to thousands of
wonderful Future Professionals in the MidSouth area.
Here at Paul Mitchell the School
Memphis, we are dedicated to providing
our students with an exceptional education
designed to assist them in achieving their
career goals in the beauty industry. It isn’t
about how smart you are, but how you
are smart. At PMTS Memphis, we have
a unique education system that caters to
all styles of learning: such as hands-on,
listening, interpersonal, and many others.
The mission of Southwest Tennessee
Community College is to provide the
citizens of Shelby and Fayette counties
and the surrounding Mid-South region
with a high quality and affordable postsecondary education that prepares them
for associate degrees,
future educational
opportunities, and
successful employment.
As a comprehensive,
open-access, culturally
diverse, public two-year
college, Southwest is
committed to meeting
the educational needs
of individual students,
communities, and
employers through
credit and non-credit
instruction using both
distance learning
technology and
traditional campusbased classes. Southwest promotes student
success in a supportive teaching and
learning environment designed to raise
educational levels, promote work readiness
skills, enhance career advancement,
prepare for university transfer, and enrich
personal lives.
Concorde Career College
Postsecondary institutions that offer
vocational career training for careers in
the growing field of health care. Concorde
serves the segment of the population
seeking a career-focused education.
Currently operate 16 campuses in 8 states.
Webster University, a worldwide
institution, ensures high quality learning
experiences that transform students
for global citizenship and individual
excellence.

Other Institutions of Higher
Learning
University of Memphis
Memphis Seminary
Lemoyne Owen
University of Mississippi
Arkansas State University
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
- Memphis
Rhodes College
Mid-America Baptist Theological
Seminary

•

79

(

) EDUCATION

By Dr. Glen Fenter

Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce

Growing into the

21st Century

O

ne of the major challenges facing growing
communities in this new century is providing
“employers with the talent they need to compete and
people have the skills they need to get good jobs,”
as a plan prepared in collaboration of the Greater
Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce
(GMACW) and the Brookings Institution puts it.
This is an especially acute problem for the Memphis area where the
“persistently low levels of educational attainment pose a formidable
barrier to the regional economy’s potential to grow and diversify.”
Since its inception in 2014, GMACW has worked closely with the
Bartlett Chamber and the Greater Memphis Medical Device Council to
identify the workforce skills needed by employers in the medical device
industrial sector, the largest export sector in Tennessee providing jobs
for more than 6,000 people in the Memphis/Bartlett area. Beginning in
January, 2016, the first step towards meeting these skill requirements
begins with the establishment of a dual credit (high school and college
credit) machining program at Bartlett High School in cooperation with
the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis. The program

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

will be available for high school
students during the day and to adult
students during the evening hours.
The ultimate goal of the GMACW,
the Bartlett Chamber and the Medical
Device Council partnership is to
establish a Medical Device Institute
that will provide employers with a
dedicated facility to train the skilled
workforce they need to grow their
companies and to attract future
companies to the community.
This is just one example of the
GMACW effort to meet the education and
training needs of employers by delivering
innovative new strategies and tools
while helping area residents successfully
navigate career pathways.

•

BUSINESS & ECONOMY (

BARTLETT

Q

T E N N E S S E E

150

INSIGHTS

YEARS

)

By John Threadgill

[

2015 ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

]

David Skelton
Evergreen / Safe Air Solutions

T

en years ago,
while on his
weekly airline
commute to his
job in Michigan,
Bartlett resident
David Skelton read a Wall
Street Journal article about a
one-year medical study on the
impact of installing in-duct
germicidal lamps into large
office buildings… otherwise
known as ultraviolent light
or UVC. The published
results were impressive,
with as much as a 60% decrease in health complaints and
respiratory illnesses reported by more than 700 building
occupants.
This was of great interest to David because he was in the
process of relocating his mother, who suffered from Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), to his home in
Bartlett. Knowing that the Memphis area was notorious for
allergy sufferers, he was extremely hopeful about the impact
UVC technology might have on his mother’s condition.
As he did more research, he came across another study
commissioned by the EPA that also showed a high-level
reduction in student and staff illness and absenteeism in
K - 12 schools with UVC lighting systems; along with a
substantial increase in student performance and test scores.
Realizing that this might be of substantial benefit for
his mother who was using a prescription inhaler four times
daily, David and his wife decided to install UVC lighting in
their home HVAC unit.
Within a few weeks of installing the system, David’s
mom was able to reduce use of her prescription inhaler
from four times daily to only once at bedtime; decreased her
oxygen tank use from around-the-clock to one hour per day;
and was able to move from a wheelchair to a walker and
ultimately to a cane. After sharing her success with others,
David was soon installing UVC systems into the homes of
friends, relatives and church members… all with equally
remarkable results.
David and his wife decided that this might be a business
opportunity that provided positive, healthful benefits and
would eliminate the weekly commute to Michigan. In

the summer of 2005, he quit
his job and launched Safe
Air Solutions from a spare
bedroom and rented a 10 x
10 mini-storage unit for a
warehouse.
While selling his product
on the basis of cleaner air and
a healthier environment, an
energy study was published
in 2008 that showed a 20%
decrease in HVAC energy
consumption after UVC
installation. Soon afterwards
our entrepreneur was
restructuring his business model from a residential ‘health’
focus to commercial energy savings.
David’s first big contract came when the University of
Memphis requested the installation of UVC lighting into
161 air handlers in 37 buildings on the campus.
The success at the University of Memphis, coupled
with improved health benefits, corporate risk mitigation,
and increased energy efficiency led to UVC contracts with
museums, state capital buildings, schools systems, hospitals,
clinics, laboratories and office buildings in ten states.
In 2012, Safe Air Solutions became a charter member of
the Bartlett Chamber’s Team Green Zone initiative whose
mission is to help area businesses save money through
energy efficiency measures while reducing their carbon
footprint.
In late 2013, David and Susan decided to purchase a
52-year-old manufacturing company and build their own
products; vertically integrating the business from raw
materials to manufactured products to installation and
commissioning.
Today, Safe Air Solutions remains a stand-alone UVC
installation / marketing company, installing products
manufactured by their sister company, Evergreen UV. In
2014, the company moved out of the spare bedroom and
mini-storage unit into a 15,000 square-foot manufacturing
facility on Thomas Road and added ten new employees to
the four employees from the former company.
Evergreen / Safe Air Solutions has an international
reach selling in such countries as Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan,
Serbia, Brazil, and Hong Kong. Their international market
83

growth was helped substantially by endorsements from the
Center for Disease Control and the United Nations Partners in
Health, resulting in large export purchases for hospitals.
When Evergreen UV launched a Federal Contracting effort
in 2014, the company secured large orders from the Department
of Homeland Security and a recent commitment from eleven VA
hospitals in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.
Starting in the spring of 2015, Evergreen UV began an
HVAC energy efficiency project on nine college campuses in
Kentucky, and installed UVC products for a hospital in Puerto
Rico later in the summer.
On May 29, 2015, Evergreen UV celebrated with friends

and employees the firm’s first anniversary as a fullservice manufacturer. An open house, a cookout, an
official ribbon-cutting ceremony provided by the Bartlett
Area Chamber of Commerce, and a presentation / gift
of advanced environmental disinfection systems for
each of the nurses’ clinics in all twelve of the Bartlett
School System schools made for a very busy and joyous
celebration.
Fifty years ago, David Skelton was a student at Elmore
Park Elementary School. Twenty-five years ago, his
children were students at Oak Road Elementary School,
and recently, their grandson, Danny, completed the 2nd
grade at Alturia Elementary.
David and Susan were high school sweethearts and
married in 1973. They moved back to Bartlett in 1978,
where they started both a family and a business.
David graduated from the inaugural class of
Leadership Bartlett in 1990. Since then, he has served as
past chairman of the Bartlett Chamber’s Cultural Arts
Committee, chairman of the Bartlett Parks Department
Advisory Board, Manager and 10-year Board member
of the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center,
Board member of the Bartlett Community Theater,
organizer and officer of the Bartlett Area Chorus and
the Bartlett Area Concert Band (25 year participant),
and enjoys his MC duties for the Bartlett 4th of July
Fireworks Show, Veterans Day Ceremony, and
Christmas Parade.
Susan is the numbers person. She left her employment
at David Patrick CPA last year to join Evergreen UV as
the CFO responsible for all contract negotiations and
corporate finances.
Their daughter, Kate Meredith, left Greenway Home
Services after ten years to join Evergreen UV as the
Director of Operations.
Son-in-law, Johnny Meredith, has headed the
professional installation group of Safe Air Solutions
since its organization in 2005.
David’s favorite mantra, which is very appropriate for
an entrepreneur is this:
“You are either working to build your dream, or you
are being paid by someone to build their dream.”

•

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

(

) BUSINESS & ECONOMY

LEGACY BUSINESSES
IN BARTLETT
25 Years or more in Business

T

his is a list of legacy businesses, companies
that are 25 years or older and still in
operation. The 1990-91 Chamber Directory
was used as a starting point and may not
be a complete list, but is representative of
what was in Bartlett.
The oldest continuing business in Bartlett is Warr
& Guerin Garage which began as Warr & McCulley in
the early 1920s at its present location on the corner of
Stage Road and Bartlett Road. Originally it specialized in
repairing farm equipment. Through the years the name
changed several times and the work changed from farm
equipment to cars and trucks. Bobby Guerin, who worked
with founder T. E. (Evan) Warr, purchased the garage
in 1971 and the name
changed to Warr & Guerin.
In 1979 Jeff Livingston
started working there, and
in 1996 he purchased the
business and is the current
owner, but did not change
the name.
Of special note is a
Warr & Guerin Garage, 1950s
business that was almost
as old as Warr & Guerin. Breathett Funeral Home was
established in 1919 by George Breathett and located
at the south end of Shelby Street. George Breathett
(1881-1930) was the son of Alex Breathett who was born
about 1847 in KY. This black funeral home stayed in
the Breathett family until it closed in 2000.
Since Bartlett was a very small town before the
1980s we would like to recognize a few businesses that
were here for many years but are no longer in operation.
Red Fuller’s gas station on north side of Stage Road
between Court Street and Sycamore View. O.S. (Red)
Fuller was the owner and also the fire chief of a volunteer
fire department. By accounts he was involved in many
facets of Bartlett, including serving as alderman.
Shelby Center Ace Hardware at 6777 Stage Road
(by Four Way). A hardware store owned by the Appling
family (no date for origin) was bought by Glen Morrison
in 1964. Mr. Morrison also bought a hardware store
around the corner on the west side of Summer Avenue
in a row of businesses owned by Noland Cleaves. Mr.
Morrison combined the two stores at the Stage address
and he and his family served the community for 34
years until 1998.

BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

Shelby Restaurant and Shelby Motel at 6803 Summer
Avenue. The Shelby Restaurant opened in 1952 was known far
and wide for its catfish and hushpuppies. It was also the place
when all the men met in the mornings to discuss the matters of
Bartlett. It was owned by Charlie and Virginia Pitts for many
years. It burned to the ground in 1998 and was never rebuilt.
The Motel building still stands.

~ Compiled by Sue Griffith Coleman
& Debra Malone-Reeve
Red denotes current Chamber
Members
Disclaimer: We have attempted to
identify the legacy businesses in
Bartlett. If we have missed your
company please accept our apologies.

87

(

) BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Bartlett

Economy
and the 21st Century

E

Named

Surface Dynamics

stablished in 1866 Bartlett started out
as a quiet rural community nearly three
hours by horseback from downtown
Memphis. It remained an agricultural
based economy well into the 20th Century
providing dairy products to the City of
Memphis as well as cotton. By 1970 the
community’s population had barely surpassed 1000
people. The decade of the 70’s, however, was the decade
of change. As Memphis grew and expanded so too did
Bartlett.
By 1980 the population exceeded 17,000. This rapid
growth brought newcomers that would assume the role
of community leaders. They knew that forward thinking
was needed to ensure a sustainable future. Bartlett was
fortunate in that it had the people with the right stuff
to make it happen. By the mid 1980’s the growing city
was developing plans for an industrial park that would
BARTLETT

INSIGHTS

The Cheesecake Factory

not only provide jobs for its citizens but much needed
revenue.
Today Bartlett Corporate Park is a Class A location
for a diverse range of manufacturing and distribution
related companies. It is home to multimillion dollar
locally grown enterprises as well as international
giants in their respective industries. The park contains
more than 100 businesses employing in excess of 5000
taxpaying citizens. Although Bartlett Corporate Park
is not dominated by any one industry it is recognized as
the epicentre of the medical device industry in Shelby
County.
The skills and talent of the individuals that make
up the Bartlett workforce is aggressively pursued by
the companies located in the area. As technology and
sophisticated processes become the backbone of America’s
industrial sector, having the educational system and
tools in place to ensure a sustainable 21st Century

By John Threadgill ~ P r e s i d e n t

of the

Bartlett Area Chamber

economy is critical. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the Bartlett Chamber,
Bartlett City Schools, city officials and other workforce
related organizations are working together to make a
qualified workforce the essential part of its strategy.
In addition to its strong industrial base, the Bartlett
area contains the largest retail concentration in a three
state region. Memphis area shoppers as well as out of
towners, who think nothing of driving 100 miles, find most
of their eclectic needs fulfilled within the retail corridor of
Wolfchase & Germantown Parkway. The recent addition of
the Cheesecake Factory inside Wolfchase Galleria and the
construction of Ikea in 2016 is a strong indication of the
viability of the area and in the growth potential of both the
retail and residential sectors.
The business services sector is the third component of
the Bartlett economy and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing extremely well. As
manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors, retail and housing
continue to grow and prosper so too do the professionals
that provide the expertise to help them grow. Accountants,
attorneys, engineers, architects, contractors, developers,
advisors and strategists are just a few of the occupations
that are fundamental to a dynamic economy.
The Bartlett economy is strong and well positioned for

of

Commerce

Smith & Nephew

the decades ahead. The challenges facing Bartlett are
typical of most growing communities but as long as the city
is willing and able to focus on a strong workforce, available
real estate, pro-business environment, competent elected
officials and a business sector that believes in a level
playing field our future will remain bright.

â&#x20AC;˘

89

(

) BUSINESS & ECONOMY

(

) BUSINESS & ECONOMY

The

By John Threadgill

Bartlett

Chamber
Grow Chamber
Strengthening
the Community

with the

Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Staff (l to r): Lisa Johnson, Director of Marketing; Jerry Dupree, Director of Membership Services;
John Threadgill, President; Debra Malone-Reeve, Director of Operations; Phil Johnson, Director of Economic Development
Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Staff (l to r): Lisa Johnson, Event Coordinator; Jerry Dupree, Director of Membership Services;
John Threadgill, President; Debra Malone-Reeve, Director of Operations; Phil Johnson, Director of Economic Development
(Not pictured: Krista Antonuk, Director of Marketing and Communications)
as the cheerleader for their community but few realize
he Bartlett Area
Chamber of Commerce is

T
G

more than a membership organization it’s
about growing the community by creating
rowing the economy is the Bartlett
jobs and attracting capital investment. Its
Area Chamber of Commerce’s (BACC)
mission is straight forward, “advancing
primary mission. As a private,
the long-term prosperity of Bartlett and
not-for-proﬁt organization, we are
Northeast Shelby County by sustaining and
to advancing the long-term
growing its businesscommitted
community”.
prosperity
of
Bartlett
Our commitment to sustainable
growthand
andNortheast
making
Shelby
County
by
Bartlett a better place to live, work, play and retire is
sustaining
growing
itswe
business
reflected inand
every
activity
undertake. Whether it’s a
community
by:
membership oriented event such as the Bartlett Business
Expo,
Annual Chamber
Golf
Tournament, or Women’s
• Attracting
new retail,
professional,
Business
Luncheon;
creating
marketing collateral,
commercial, and industrial businesses
facilitating
economic
development
strategies or a oneto the area
stop-shop business meeting for a prospective corporate
• Working on speciﬁc initiatives
newcomer, it is all aimed at making the community
to assist current businesses with
stronger and more prosperous.
expansions and employment growth
Recognizing the contribution that Bartlett Chamber
• Establishing a comprehensive
members make to the local community is never overstated.
workforce development strategy
Most citizens recognize the local chamber of commerce
• Offering exclusive networking
BARTLETT
and training opportunities for member
businesses
• Promoting member businesses

INSIGHTS

that the businesses that support their Chamber are
exceptional. Bartlett Chamber members are a minority of
As Northeast Shelby County’s largest business
companies that comprise the local business community.
membership organization comprised of 600 members,
This small group of diverse businesses, from industrial
one of the primary functions of the BACC is to provide
manufacturing and distribution to mom & pop retail
our members with the opportunity to network with other
establishments, are the true heroes of the business
businesses.who
We give
wanttheir
to help
youenergy
grow your
business and
community
time,
and resources
to
have
fun
in
the
process!
Throughout
the
year,
BACC
ensure that Bartlett remains viable and holds athe
future
for
hosts many
events
including
a handful of
its children. According
to a 2012
study
by the Schapiro
major
events
that bring
people
together
Group “Consumers
believe
businesses
who
are members
in
unique
environments
that
foster
new
of a local chamber are more reputable, use good business
personal
and
business
relationships:
practices, care about customers, and are more involved in
the community”. Bartlett Business Expo: The 2015 Bartlett
The Bartlett Area
Chamber,
over
600
Business
Expo representing
will be held on
Thursday,
businesses in the Greater Bartlett Area, is committed
March 12th at the Bartlett Recreation
to making this community the very best it can be and to
Center, located at 77 Flaherty Place in
ensure another 150 years of growth and prosperity.
Bartlett. With over 1,000 attendees, the
For more information about the Bartlett Area Chamber
Bartlett Business Expo is a very costof Commerce or any of the featured events, please visit
effective way for over 85 businesses and
www.bartlettchamber.org or call (901) 372-9457.
service providers from Northeast Shelby
County to gather in one location to
showcase their products and services. The
expo provides a wonderful opportunity

When consumers
know that a business
is a member of the
local chamber of
commerce, they are
45% more likely to
think favorably about
the business and 82%
more likely to buy
from them.

The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) represents over 600 businesses throughout Bartlett, Northeast Shelby County,
and the greater Memphis area. The mission of the BACC is to advance the long-term prosperity of Bartlett and Northeast Shelby
County by sustaining and growing the business community. The companies who are represented within this directory demonstrate their
commitment to the current and future prosperity of Bartlett and Northeast Shelby County through their membership in the BACC. By
doing business with the companies represented here, you also invest in the economic growth and long-term viability of the community.
Strategic Partners
Committed leaders of the community who fund the
BACCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Development Program, Vision 20/20

Sustaining Member
The premier businesses of the community and the
beginning investment level for our Board of Advisors

Center Stage Sponsor
The chief underwriters of membership services who
ensure that the BACC maintains a viable program for
the membership to grow and prosper

Premium
Members who provide an increased investment to
serve as a base for sustaining the chamber